Submitted by Rene Carroll
What could be more fun for students of Columbia River Gorge Elementary than participating in The Kids Heart Challenge which combined learning about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association? It would be to see a pie smashed in the face of their favorite principal, Tracey MacLauchlan!
“The students and families worked hard raising more than $4,000 to help support the work of AHA,” said CRGE PE teacher Jessica Warta who organized the fundraiser. “The students are extremely excited about the opportunity to pie Principal MacLachlan and are proud of their efforts to do good in the world and help others that are less fortunate.”
Students registered online and took on healthy challenges like a pledge to be kind, move more or choose water. Students raised money online or by asking family and friends in person, all while learning about their physical and emotional well-being.
“In P.E., the students learned about why water is a better choice to drink over other sugary beverage options as well as fun heart facts,” said Warta. “Students could earn prizes or thank you gifts for the amount of money they raised.”
Any student who participated in the fundraiser or challenges was eligible for schoolwide prizes. For every $1,000 CRGE raised a staff member volunteered to get pied in the face. First grader, Jase Kenyon, was randomly drawn out of all the participants and was the lucky winner to pie Principal MacLachlan on May 21. Other pies in the face were received by Warta and CRGE kindergarten teacher, Mandy Bradford. A staff member, yet to be determined, will be slimed in early June!
