By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – This wasn't a normal school day – not with sword fights, pie throwing, juggling and card and dice playing.
Marianne Davis' World History lesson became much more when a few students got the idea of hosting a Renaissance Faire.
The grounds of the Bell School, Brandywine's adult and alternate education building, were transformed Thursday with vendor's booths built, a May pole and a ring for sword fighting.
This is Davis' first year at Bell, but she has been a teacher for 28 years.
"This began two months ago in my World History class," Davis said and they were talking about it every day since then.
The project was spearheaded by Zephir Perez, Ryan Prentice and Cassie Bunch.
Bunch enlisted her parents, Tina and Tim Bunch to help grill a lunch of Catfish, chicken and shish ke-babs.
The students at Bell have had other interaction with the community, making blankets for the nursing home and a coat drive.
This time they actually went out into the community to seek donations and made the booths and games themselves.
Vendors were set up with lemonade, face painting, candlemaking and card and dice playing.
"The kids worked so hard," said another teacher, Linda Ditto.
"It was a self accomplishment, to do something for all the students and for the community," said Perez.
The whole project was a positive reflect on the school, he added.
They learned first about the Renaissance period, then when they went out soliciting and during actual construction of the sets.
"It was tiring, but fun. I am glad we could pull together," he said.
Perez, who lives in Buchanan, also volunteers at the senior center. With his school year ending, he will be working at DHL, he added.
His dream though is to move to Atlanta, Ga and be a professional musician. He is a drummer.
Prentice still has one more year and Cassie a bit more.
Perez likes that the Bell school is more "hands on and focused on students, with lots of connection between students and teachers. It is easier to learn."
He also wanted to show the community "we can do this and put in the effort."
Cassie's father, a Niles firefighter, told how the students came over to wash and cut up vegetables and prepare all the food, the night before.
"It took a lot of time and energy after school," he added.
"It is running smooth. I am pleased to see the kids getting behind something," he added, saying their interest was amazing.
His entire family got involved with Cassie's sisters bringing food and both sets of grandparents attending.
There was "great cooperation," Principal Judy Frey said.
She was out on medical leave when asked about the event and thought it would be a great idea.
"It was an amazing exercise in organization," she added.
"They took a hold of it and it was their baby," she added.
Donations were appreciated from Lowes, Wal-Mart, Redbud Hardware, Stateline Mini Mart,, Niles Chemical Paint, Big C Lumber and Berrien County Teacher's Credit Union.