Kristynn Leleux, left, and Ciera Peltier  braid the hair of fifth-grade students.

The senior class at Catholic High School traveled back in time Tuesday to bid a final goodbye to the school with a plethora of Old World festivities in “Pantherlot.”

Princes, princesses, fairies, scientists, jousting knights, ogres and other creatures filled the gym for the school’s 13th annual Renaissance Festival where all 92 soon-to-be graduates entertained CHS fourth- and fifth-graders and St. Edward School third-graders.

Twelve intricately decorated craft booths lined the walls of the gym, and four activities filled the center court around a large Maypole. Just outside the gym through the Sherwood Forest, festival go-ers could partake in archery lessons, Ye Olde Dunking Booth and axe throws.

The annual festival is part of a project that is cross-curricular and includes a mixture of literature, history and art lessons, said Eugenie Segura, CHS academic assistant principal. She said the project primarily is inspired by the British literature from the Medieval and Renaissance periods the students studied.

Segura said the students had to research the accuracy of their ideas for their craft booths, design their costumes and participate in the event to earn a grade. This is the last full week of class for the seniors, Segura said, so the activity is a fun and educational way for them to earn class credit.

“Next week is their exams, so this is a big major project that is also kind of fun for them,” she said.

Segura said because the event is heavily based on student ideas, each year it tends to be a little different. She said there are some traditional booths, such as the two where fairy wands and flower hair accessories are created, but each year brings something new.

“It’s very student-run. We give them some guidelines, we tell them what we expect because they do get a grade on it and they have to meet some parameters with their grading process, but they decide what they want to do,” she said. 

This year’s festival featured a new inside activity in which students tried to rescue Rapunzel by climbing a rope to the top of the gym. The event also featured a tapestry booth with William the Conqueror where students could sign their names on a cloth to be displayed at the school.

Senior Tristin Tauzin, who played William the Conqueror, said the class looked forward to the event all year and began planning for the booths, activities and costumes more than two months ago. The festival was busier, more hectic and more fun than he anticipated, he said.

“I think this is a good way to wrap up our senior year because it gives us a good chance to be kids again for one last time,” he said.

Senior Maggie Smith said the festival is bittersweet and it evoked memories of her class attending the previous Renaissance festivals. Smith, who taught princess etiquette at the festival, said the event is a much appreciated tradition in the school.

“It’s really good because we have put so much work into it. It feels really good to give back to the younger kids before we leave here,” she said. “I think it’s an easy way for the kids to learn while having fun.”

Segura said the junior class already has thrown around ideas for their project in their senior year.

“They took a peek at what was going on, so they’re kind of thinking ahead even though it’s a year away,” she said. “Nothing is definite yet, but I’m sure the class will come up with something awesome.”