By Emma Cummins
Staff Writer

As Coppell High School sophomore, Asha Reddy, stepped onto the Octopus, a ride that spins while bobbing up and down, she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her night at the St. Ann Community Carnival, riding her favorite rides.

“I’ve been going to the St. Ann carnival since I moved to Coppell in sixth grade and I love going to the top and taking pictures of the lights and other rides,” Reddy said.

First and foremost, the carnival is set up each year to raise money for the church. But in addition to the fundraising side of the carnival, carnival public relations official Paige Schnorbach talked about the welcoming environment that everyone who participates in the carnival can experience.

“It’s a wholesome environment and (non-Catholics) can start to wonder what makes it that way, and that it’s affiliated with the church. (Non-Catholics) associate that good feeling with St. Ann’s and Christianity, and really foster a positive feeling towards Christianity and Catholicism in particular,” Schnorbach said.

Schnorbach emphasizes the carnival as a way to promote unity through involvement from businesses, families and restaurants.

“Anyone is welcome, they don’t have to be affiliated with the church, I think that the community really understands that the carnival benefits part of a whole,” Schnorbach said.

Coppell High School sophomore Asha Reddy is a regular at the St. Ann carnival though she herself does not attend the parish.

“St. Ann seems like a great church and is really involved with the community. Coppell seems like a great, fun loving community because everyone comes together to support a great cause from all backgrounds,” Reddy said.

CHS sophomore Sage Smith said “it’s a tradition to go” and loves to come to the carnival each year with her family.

St. Ann raised over $200,000 from the carnival but was also meant to welcome the Coppell community with a fun filled and welcoming celebration.