Snoqualmie elementary students walk for the dough
October 28, 2009
By Laura Geggel
The entire population of Snoqualmie Elementary School dressed up as bees, monkeys, bats and more for its annual walk-a-thon Oct. 8 and ended up walking 16,829 laps — about 3,365 miles — around the school’s field.
Every year, students at Snoqualmie Elementary don spirit costumes for walk-a-thon, a PTA fundraiser. The class with the most spirit wins a pizza party. Mix It Up Ice Creamery will give the class that raises the most money an ice-cream party.
Snoqualmie Elementary School fifth-grader Teresa Eichler celebrates her walk-a-thon spirit by dressing up in a Georgia shirt and toting two American flags. Photo by Laura Geggel
The sun soaked Snoqualmie Elementary’s grass fields with as students made loops around the course. Students received prizes every five laps, equal to one mile.
Rumors flew about who had run the most. Fifth-grader Signe Eaton reported one boy in her class had completed 33 laps, definitely one of the higher numbers.
“It’s totally fun,” parent volunteer Kerry Washburn said. “ It’s so healthy, all of them (going) at their own pace.”
Each elementary school PTA in Snoqualmie Valley School District has a walk-a-thon.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Kim Arellano, SES PTA co-vice president of fundraising.
Last year, SES raised about $42,000 from walk-a-thon. This year, the PTA set a goal of $50,000 to battle district-wide budget cuts. The PTA has other fundraisers, such as the holiday bazaar, but walk-a-thon brings in the most cash.
“We’ve had a supportive PTA since I’ve been here,” SES Principal Cori Pflug said. “We really couldn’t do (walk-a-thon) without them.”
Some district-wide cuts affecting elementary schools include the fifth-grade overnight fieldtrip. In the 2009-10 district budget, the district cut funding the fifth-grade fieldtrip to Camp Seabeck. Now, PTAs are stepping up to try to fill the gap, especially for resources helping all grade levels.
At SES, the PTA funds weekly art classes, fieldtrips and all after-school activities.
The PTA also has a grant program, allowing teachers to apply for $250 curriculum-related grants.
Parent Doug Crooks walked with his daughter Caya Crooks during the walk-a-thon.
“With the funding down, they’re cutting everything,” Crooks said.
He was supporting the fundraiser, “just so they can do the fun things we got to do in the classroom.”
SES students got a surprise visit from Sno Falls Credit Union’s Rocky Raccoon as SES physical education teacher Jim McEldowney mixed upbeat tunes for the walkers. Forth-grade teacher Deva Scott jogged around the field, vying for the title of fastest teacher.
“I think, Ms. (Selby) Shannon might have it on me, she did college track,” Scott said.
Indeed she did; Shannon ran 46 laps, about nine miles.
The PTA winner will announce walk-a-thon winners at the Oct. 27 assembly.
Whether fast or slow, students walked the whole two hours.
“You get to raise money and have fun walking,” said second grader Jillian Smith, whose parents, grandparents and 13-year-old sister are sponsored her.
For many students, their eyes were on the prize. Students walking 20 laps received rub-on tattoos, 35 laps got them a tiny flashlight and 40 laps earned them a pack of gummy treats.
“Once you get into the forties, the prizes get way cooler,” Alix Van Wagoner said.
Even fifth-grader Jessie Holloway, who had fractured her ankle helped the fundraiser, checking off students every time they made a lap.
In all, 60 parents volunteered to walk with their children, hand out prizes or check off laps.
“It takes that many for 687 kids,” SES PTA co-vice president of fundraising Staci Miller said.
Laura Geggel: 392-6434 ext. 221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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