Editor’s Note: These stories were published in partnership with the journalism program at Du Quoin High School

Lights, screams of laughter, food and fun. That’s what the Du Quoin State Fair is all about. Every year, Du Quoin hosts the state fair in southern Illinois, while Springfield hosts a larger state fair earlier in the summer. Filled with excitement, there’s always something to do at the fair, attendees can enjoy concerts, rides, food, booths and more each year. However, there is more to the fair than what meets the eye

Inside the numerous tents that line the main road in the fairgrounds, students can be found completing volunteer hours. Many events and tents help students complete different tasks done for classes. Such things the fair might help students accomplish is volunteering, or as a senior, Government teacher Mr. Ryan Summer’s citizenship project for his government class. Students have to earn 28 hours of volunteer hours, but 15 are provided by the school, so 13 are to be obtained on their own time. 

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“It’s a great way to learn about the political process outside the classroom,” Government teacher Mr. Ryan Summers said. “It also gives students a chance to have hands-on experience with politics and how they function.” 

Since seniors need a required amount of volunteer hours to graduate, the Republican tent or the comptroller tent are beneficial ways for students to earn the hours in. Volunteering helps students learn new skills and also to know how to help others without expecting money in return. 

“I volunteered at the comptroller tent,” Senior Maddox Hunter said. Hunter said they gave out yo-yos and had Martel’s pizza and water. 

Volunteering isn’t always a difficult thing to do and places like the fair make it a fun experience for students to meet all their necessary requirements. They meet new people, gain new experiences and are gifted free food and drinks to make their experience just a little bit better. 

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