California Scholarship Federation (CSF), students coming together to strengthen their bonds to the community through fun volunteering in their annual Trunk or Treat event.
By: Beatrice Du Toit
Redwood’s California Scholarship Fund, (CSF), just had their annual Trunk or Treat on October 27th, a tradition that allows students to decorate their cars and invite elementary school students to trick or treat from the members of CSF.
Elle Pinheiro, ‘26, the CSF President said, “So it’s great to have a community where people, high school students especially, are just excited about coming out here and serving the community.”
The trunk or treat, usually has a big turn out, and takes place in the Student parking lot of Redwood High school, this year the location moved to be on campus in front of the office.
Mrs. Nicole Viera, the CSF advisor and Redwood English and AP Lit teacher said, “I think it was a really good change. I think it made it more cozy and more welcoming and inviting.”
The event had a big turn out from student volunteers and kids coming to trick or treat alike. It’s a really great way to reconnect to the community that raised us.
Mrs. Viera said, “I think sometimes we think about, like, community service and we think about it in sort of this, like, rigid, like, I have to, like, do something that I don’t enjoy kind of way, you know, to, like, serve hours, but community service can and should be something where we’re just, like, giving back to the communities that raised us.”
Members of CSF that came out to help with the event, and were really enthusiastic and happy with how the event went.
Lainey Rowe, ‘26, CSF member said, “I think this is very fun and It’s very good for little kids.
New and returning members can help with the event, even non members can volunteer their cars to decorate and give out candy at the event.
Dana Chavez, ‘26, CSF member, whose first year participating in the trunk or treat said, “I think it’s just a great cause, and it just, like, it’s builds community, and it shows everyone, like, that we’re all connected in some way, and we all share, like, values and common goals, and it’s just so fun to get out there for Halloween.”
Photo: M. LoBue/Gigantea
Each group of students had different decorations and themes for their car, from Jurassic park, under the sea, and SpongeBob, to stranger things, monsters inc, and Cookie Monster cars. Each group was super enthusiastic about the event and put a lot of effort into their cars to make the night special.
Jenna Landin, ‘26, Vice president of CSF said, “ I think this event is actually so great, and I think it’s one of our most attended events that we host every year.”
The trunk or treat is an annual CSF event, and was started in Viera’s first year as the advisor, the presidency at the time had come up with the idea.
Mrs. Viera said, “I’ve always been really passionate about serving youth. Kylie Shefferly and her team came up with this idea because their church did it, and I was like, so worried. But it was great, and it’s always been great since we’ve done it.”
The event is really big and means a lot collectively to participants, volunteers and those who attend, it’s a great way to reconnect and strengthen bonds to the community.
Mrs. Natalie Blair, a Redwood Math teacher and parent who attended the Trunk or Treat said, “I think it’s a fun little event. It makes it really easy for the kids to go check things out and the students have been very friendly and make it exciting for the little kids.”
Members encourage more kids to come and enjoy the event, and more students to volunteer and help out.
Makayla Fleming, ‘26, CSF member, said, “I like the community that we have. It’s great that we have, like, students that can make this safe place for little kids to come and just enjoy Halloween.”
The Trunk or Treat takes place every October, and Members would love to see more people come out and help and just enjoy the event in the upcoming years.
Chavez said, “I’m just so grateful that I’m good to have this opportunity to be part of this, and it’s so much fun.”
Beatrice Du Toit
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, Community Involvement, CSF, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, Trunk or Treat, visalia ca
