Masuk Free Press

Despite the lack of fire on the field, the burning spirits of the staff and students who attended the Masuk Kickback were as vibrant as ever. 

Masuk’s annual bonfire was officially canceled for the second year in a row as of Friday, September 26, 2025, at the confirmation from the Monroe Fire Marshal, Chief Kettalano, that the surrounding area had not received enough rain and was too dry to host the fire safely.

“Last year, it caught us off guard that we weren’t going to be able to have the bonfire, so we didn’t have a backup plan. This year, we made sure we had a backup plan,” says Assistant Principal, Mr. Lowell.

The Kickback, taking place on the school’s upper field, would feature outdoor games, a movie, music, and three food trucks: DrewbaQ (barbecue), Milkcraft (ice cream), and Chops Taco for the students and staff. Unfortunately, there was no pizza truck like there usually is at the Bonfire, but the three seemed to suffice considering there wasn’t such a large turnout of attendees. 

“Some people I know want the Bonfire to happen, so they’re a little more sad about it. So I know a lot of seniors aren’t coming this year” says Masuk Senior Christian Kloter. 

Alexis Brunelle, another Masuk Senior, says “There’s a lot less people here, probably, because it’s not a bonfire. I don’t know, maybe people will come later on.” within the first hour of the event.

Many students partook in games of cornhole provided by the school. Kids could also be seen running up and down the field throwing frisbees, or tossing a tennis ball back and forth between friends farther down the field. Aside from the outdoor games, some attendees could be seen dancing to the music that the DJ played.

The turnout included a mix of Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, it certainly wasn’t as many students as are usually present for the Bonfire, but it certainly wasn’t nothing, and while not as long, there were still decently sized lines for the food trucks. Some staff members and teachers, even Principal Swenson with his kids.

“This is my first experience of being like a ninth grader. I’m here with my friends. So, like, I don’t think there’s more I can ask for.” – “I am enjoying my food, I’ve got the ice cream, I’ve got the tacos.” says Masuk Freshman Leah Patrick when asked what she thought of the event.

When asked what his favorite part of the Kickback was, Masuk Junior, Dennell Sidne says, “being with friends, and like, the music” while he was enjoying his food from the food trucks and sitting with his friends.

The movie that had been picked out had been, “Back to the Future”, which started around 7 PM, groups of friends flocked to the field to find a spot to settle down in front of the big inflatable screen. 

“I had the ice cream, it was really really good. I’d say a nine,” says Masuk Sophomore, Francesca Montes Santorelli, when asked how she would rate the food she had gotten while at the Kickback. Once again, proving that Milkcraft continues to be a long-lasting popular favorite among the students. 

When prompted about what his favorite parts of the event were, Ryan O’Shay said, “I played the games. The games were good. Cornhole was good. Food, as we said, is good, um, so yeah, it’s all around good.”

While some groups of attendees watched the movie, there were many still frequenting the food trucks and walking around the field, or even checking out the game taking place on the lower field. Students and staff began to gradually take their leave home the closer it got to 8 PM, the end of the event.

All in all, despite the cancellation of the Bonfire once again, the new tradition of the Masuk Kickback seemed to do fairly well in terms of turnout and enjoyment from the students. Making the Kickback a successful and worthwhile execution of time and effort made by Assistant Principal, Mr. Lowell, and other hard-working staff members, for a different annual, social, community building, festivity for the school populace.