by Julie Gowel ·
Friday, April 3, 2026
When table space runs out fifth-graders, from left: Sierra Sutton, Maya Aldis, Cora Wittstruck, and Cece Turner play on the floor. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Harvard Parent Teacher Organization hosted its second annual Bingo night on Thursday, March 26, in the Bromfield School cafeteria. The turnout exceeded both expectations and capacity, with all tables full and many attendees spreading out on the floor in an attempt to win prizes and raise money for the schools.
While many Bingo players were excited about the rounds that offered prizes like gift cards to local stores, including the Harvard General Store and the Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton; restaurants like 80 Thoreau in Concord; and activities like passes to Harvard Lanes bowling and Bodylines Pilates, others were there for the grand prizes. By the time rounds 10 and 11 came, many had been there for more than two hours.
In round 10, the prize most coveted by the younger attendees was a Nintendo Switch 2 gaming system (which retails for nearly $500). All evening, returning Bingo caller Sean Witty, part-time pastor at the Congregational Church in Harvard, psychotherapist, and professional musician, had been attempting to quiet the noise and chaos in the room by prompting, “And a hush fell over the crowd,” but he was never as successful as when he began calling the first numbers of round 10.
When a shout of “Bingo!” boomed through the cafeteria, there were cheers for the winner and tears for some losers who had spent the night hoping to win the coveted prize. When a second winner cried “Bingo,” there were audible gasps. Adults watched anxiously as the game console was taken back from the first winner, and event organizers scrambled to make a plan.
Both winners were Hildreth Elementary School students. While the usual rule would have the kids playing a game of “rock, paper, scissors” to determine the winner, the PTO president spoke to the two young kids and no hand-gesture game ensued. Ultimately, no winner was announced, but neither did a meltdown occur. Upon further investigation, the Press learned the PTO decided to procure an additional gaming system so that both winners would receive the prize.
“Our goal for the event was to have a fun, community-building night while raising money for the schools,” said Amy Nutt, PTO president. “When we had two winners for the coveted prize, we made an in-the-moment decision to make it a positive experience for two young students.”
One of those winners was Grant Bulger, a kindergartner at HES. When asked how he felt when he shouted Bingo, he said “Amazing! We don’t even have a Nintendo. My dad thought we weren’t going to win it. But we won it, and now he’s like ‘Oh, rats!’”
Round 11 was the chance for the other big prize of the night. Harvard’s Beyond Construction Masonry donated a custom firepit valued at $2,500. Fourth-grader at HES, Joey Manero, was the Bingo champion of the night. He was a bit less excited than Bulger. “We build firepits, we are in the same business as [Beyond Construction],” said Joe Manero, Joey’s father, attempting to explain his son’s lack of excitement over the win. Both Maneros said the best part of their night was getting to see everyone together, something they experience only a couple of times per year.
Christopher Patton covers his ears as the numbers are called in a noisy cafeteria. Max Nelson plays along.
“The best part of the night was seeing an intergenerational crowd come together to support the schools,” said Nutt. “The front row of students who were in it to win it all night was also great to see and added to the energy of the event.”
“It felt reminiscent of simpler times,” said Witty. “What could be better than multigenerational community bingo?” Last year, his banter kept attendees entertained between rounds. When asked how he was preparing for this year, he answered, tongue in cheek, “Strenuous training. It’s an eight-week program of eating keto and mobilization exercises.”
Unfortunately, the large number of people in the cafeteria was too much for the small sound system Witty used to call numbers. He tried getting the people playing in the front of the room to yell back the numbers when he called them and made many attempts to “hush” the crowd.
“Being able to hear clearly was a challenge, so next year we’ll look to find a setup with more speakers or better acoustics,” said Nutt. The PTO reported raising more than $4,500 to support Harvard Public Schools. “We are so grateful to everyone who generously donated prizes, volunteered, and came out to enjoy a community event.