Sharvi Guatam

An annual tradition embedded into Skyline culture makes a comeback in the winter of 2023, with bustling crowds and unique opportunities.

The Holiday Bazaar allows small businesses or, vendors, to sell their handmade products to Skyline families or those who are looking for the perfect gifts during the holiday season. A variety of items are displayed at booths that are located throughout the school. From baked goods to knitted crafts, as well as bath items and jewelry.

Other benefits of the bazaar besides the profit of the vendors are that certain skyline clubs can volunteer and raise money. For instance, this year, students from the Mock Trial Club took charge of organizing the setup of the bazaar and volunteered throughout the entirety of it. This allowed the club to gain funds that will help them throughout their season. Other clubs at Skyline looking to gain profit also helped out or even had their booths and sold items.

This year’s bazaar took place on Saturday, December 2nd, and had quite the turnout, the gym and commons area at the school were bustling with people throughout all the hours of the bazaar.

Ishi Sharma a Mock Trial club member volunteered at the Bazaar. She was busy helping vendors and anyone in need of assistance.

“I got to put some work towards helping our club go to state and pay for anything other things that we might need,” Ishi said which motivated her to spend her time volunteering.

The Holiday Bazaar is a great opportunity for students like Ishi, who are passionate about their club and want to help in any way they can. There was also another unique idea that helped gain profit for the Mock Trial Club.

Raffle tickets were sold at one dollar a ticket by mock trial volunteers who could be seen going around the vicinity selling the tickets.

“We got every single vendor to donate a gift then we lined up all the gifts along a table then we offered raffle tickets to people.” Describes Ishi. “if they wanted to bid for one of the gifts, they could buy a raffle ticket and put it in the box next to the gift and at the very end of the event we drew raffle tickets for every single gift that was there.”

This unique idea was a big hit during the bazaar. Many raffle tickets were sold and people were excited to see If they had won. It had added another aspect to your typical bazaar, a unique way for clubs to gain profit and interact with the people.

“It was a big community-building experience,” says Ishi.

Skyline community is heavily involved in the event, with a diverse range of students from every club and grade. However, that is not the only aspect of the community involved. Skyline families shop at the Bazaar as well as other Sammamish residents.

Henry Daw, a sophomore Class Council representative describes his experience at the Bazaar.

“There was a lot of positive energy in the community,” Says Henry, “it was also a lot of work helping people set up but in general you could see that it mattered to people so it was a good experience”

Giving back to the community is important for high school students and the Holiday Bazaar provides the opportunity to do just that.

Hannah Oommen, a sophomore Class Council and Mock Trial member spent her time in the concessions stand where visitors could get a quick bite to eat while shopping

“My favorite part was busy making all the concessions.” Says Hannah, I would just be running around making all the food and giving it to people, I liked being busy”

There is also a unique experience that you gain from helping out, as Hannah described. Being a part of something bigger and contributing to the community is a rewarding feeling that students experience by donating their time and hard work.