Friday, October 16, 2026
Carnival games, pumpkin decorating and hands-on crafts brought families together at William S. Covert Elementary School for a fall celebration that blended seasonal fun with a mission to help neighbors in need.
For former principal Darren Raymar, the festival’s greatest success is that it continues to thrive even after his departure from the school.
The annual Fall Festival, held Oct. 8, marked 10 years of bringing the Covert community together while raising money for the Raymar Children’s Fund. All proceeds from the event go directly to the fund, which provides financial assistance to local families facing hardships.
“Even though I go back to the school, it’s nice seeing the parents and it’s nice seeing the older brothers and sisters of the students because I’m not there every day anymore,” Raymar said. “So, for me, it’s just reconnecting with everyone. And the best part of the day is that the tradition continues without me there.”
Raymar spent 25 years as Covert’s principal and established the fund to support families experiencing difficult circumstances. The festival has become a way to bring students, parents, and teachers together while reinforcing the importance of giving back.
“We’ve been doing this for 10 years and the kids love it,” Raymar said. “It brings everyone together and it’s a short in-and-out. It’s 90 minutes, so it’s not too long. The kids get to see their classmates in a different light and the whole staff volunteers, which is why Covert is Covert.”
Current Principal Michelle DeMartino has continued the tradition while introducing new ideas and activities to keep the festival engaging for students and families.
“She has come up with new ideas, new events and it’s an amazing legacy and it’s amazing for the kids to realize how important it is to give back,” Raymar said.
