October 25, 2007

Walking for a cause

Simonds walk-a-thon supports Music and Technology Foundation

Fifth annual fund-raiser raises whopping $40,000

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

Clear skies and eager walkers greeted the day at Simonds Elementary School’s fifth annual walk-a-thon fund-raiser Oct. 13.

Simonds teachers help check in at the Star Spangled Spirit walk-a-thon and prepare teacher treats for the auction to help raise funds for the Music and Technology Foundation. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

Dubbed Simonds Star Spangled Spirit, the event raised funds for the school’s Music and Technology Foundation.

“Every year the walk-a-thon committee comes up with a fresh theme,” said Simonds Principal Janice Samuels, who had an additional surprise for everyone at the event. “The volunteers work really hard planning everything and setting up at 6 a.m. We really appreciate all they do. And what a perfect day for the walk-a-thon!”

The principal led the first lap around the school field, taking with her the 15 winners of the golden tickets, sold at the kick-off movie night the week before.

Students obtained pledges from family, friends and neighbors and there was even additional incentive for kids participating in the walk-a-thon--water bottles, inflatable slide rides and lots of prizes. But it was not just Simonds’ students walking – parents and friends walked too. And some did more than 60 laps around the field.

Mehran and Avidah Yaghmai-Samardar brought their three children. The Simonds students include Ida, who completed 41 laps; Tara and her mom pushed the baby carriage with Yalda and finished 12 circles around the field.

Simonds kids have lots of Star Spangled Spirit as they finish the first lap with Principal Janice Samuels [center left].

“This is a great school,” said parent Lisa Wilderink, who is on the walk-a-thon committee and whose fifth grade sons Christopher and Ryan were walking laps. “There’s lots of family involvement and fun, too.”

Simonds’ teachers were just as excited about the walk-a-thon as their students and parents. They were in charge of check-in, but were busy well before the event started. A table was lined with teacher auction treats: a visit to the jungle with Mrs. Gong, making cookies in the classroom with Mrs. Jones, a movie and munchies with Mrs. Peruzzi, along with many other original ideas. Parents and kids bid on the items with the highest bid taking the prize.

And no one left the event hungry. The snack shack, donated by Ron and Carolyn Waller, offered treats for everyone, and a barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches sizzled under the watchful eyes of Denise Much, Pat Earnshaw and Franco Vado.

“We have lots of help organizing the event,” said co-chair Renee Vado who oversaw the walk-a-thon with parent Kim Earnshaw. “But the main thing is that the kids have fun.”

The Simonds’ cougar makes its premier performance to eager fans at the Star Spangled Spirit walk-a-thon Oct. 13. Fifth graders Taylor Palmaffy, left, Michael Cerone, Christopher Wilderink, Hannah Spodick as the Cougar, and Ryan Wilderink take the first lap. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

The Simonds walk-a-thon is only one of the events that parent organizers plan throughout the year to benefit the Music and Technology Foundation. This year the event raised $40,000. The kickoff, held the week before, was movie night where pledges were collected and kids enjoyed “High School Musical.” That night approximately $1,800 was raised.

Simonds Music and Technolo-gy Foundation provides continuous financial support to grow existing, and create new, music and technology educational programs for the students. The enrichment programs are integrated into the core curriculum and receive no public funding. The foundation was created in 2001 to provide a dedicated source of funding to support the music and technology departments.

But it’s all about having fun at the walk-a-thon, where Prin-cipal Samuels unveiled a surprise. The Simonds’ mascot has always been the cougar and Samuels felt they needed an actual critter for the school’s events. The walk-a-thon turned out to be the perfect time to premiere the life-size cougar.

And inside the cougar costume? Fifth-grader Hannah Spodick, who kept quiet about the mascot until her entrance with Samuels for the first lap.