The annual cupcake event took a new turn, as WJ and the Stone and Holt Weeks Foundation teamed up with Community Cupcakes to host the first-ever Cupcake Idol, raising approximately $4000 and attracting more than 250 people.


Students, alumni, family and parents from various schools in the county attended the event held at the auditorium on Feb. 27 to witness the talented contestants.

The event ran similar to the popular TV show “American Idol” — one by one, students took the stage and showed off their golden pipes. Each was evaulated by a panel of judges who offered compliments and critiques. By the end of the night several young children, WJ students, and other community members alike had sung. Phylicia Pearl of Our Lady of Good Council High School won the fundraiser.

Everyone was infected by the cheerful mood of the night.

“[The contestants] were really upbeat and singing behind the stage,” said SGA vice president Garrett Schiponi.

Part way through the event, however, things turned dramatic when a girl cut herself jumping out of a locker and another accidentally tied herself to a pole behind the stage’s curtain, according to the SGA.

“About halfway through the event, somebody came from backstage and said ‘Mr. Atencio, do have scissors?’ Of course I said, ‘what do you need scissors for?’ [The student replied] ‘Because a girl tied herself to a pole and she can’t get herself undone,'” said Atencio. “It was interesting.”

The show went on, although there was some panic involving necessary medical attention. The calm management of the SGA reflected the effort they put into the event to make it happen.

“We split up all the duties between people, and it took a fair amount of planning,” said SGA treasurer Mateo Williamson. The planning included designing t-shirts, selling leftover burritos from the Burrito Mile and other arrangements.

The event was undoubtedly a big success, according to Atencio.

“A lot of people came out for the event. I think it raised a lot of money, and it was a really good show,” he said.

The proceeds of the fundraiser will be donated to the Stone and Holt Weeks Foundation, where it will be given to several different charities, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.