Published: November 03, 2008 11:51 am         

These students are 'heavy weight' winners

Edison Elementary students from the winning classes of the Heavy Weight Coin Collection were treated to a special sundae and sumo wrestling party Thursday afternoon.

As the students made their way through the sundae line in the school’s cafeteria, a few of their teachers were behind the curtain of the stage, squeezing into sumo wrestler costumes stuffed with balloons.

The cafeteria’s walls soon echoed with chants from the eager students as they waited for the first sumo match to take place.

After three matches, kindergarten teacher Mrs. Frost proved the champion. However, the students’ laughter and cheers grew even louder as administrator Mr. Fry was brought to the sumo-ring and forced to sit in a chair while the other winning teachers turned him into a life-sized sundae. Wearing a shower curtain as his cape, Mr. Fry proved a good sport as cool whip, chocolate syrup, sprinkles and cherries were poured over his body.

“Take a good look at your teachers now,” said Mr. Fry to the students, “because some of them may look a little different tomorrow.”

The coin drive was held by the Edison Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to help raise funds for the school.

Edison principal Tammy Fuhrmann said the money from such fund raisers typically goes towards things like playground equipment, field trips or anything teachers may need for their classrooms.

The fund raiser began on Oct. 6 during a PTO meeting and open house and ended on Oct. 15.

Teachers were provided a can to decorate and place in their classrooms. At the end of the event, all the coins collected were weighed to determine the winning classes for each grade level. In total, Edison students and staff collected 89,112 coins, for a total of 577.7 pounds which equaled $2,197.43.

The winning classes were as follows:

-Pre-k: Mrs. Neale with 30 pounds

-Kindergarten: tied between Mrs. Frost and Mrs. Bryan with 95.8 pounds each

-First Grade: Mrs. Hadlock with 21.8 pounds

-Special Area: Mrs. Morrison

-Administration: Mr. Fry with 23.1 pounds

At the end of the party Thursday, Mrs. Morrison and Mr. Fry were given special certificates. The school also donated children books, “If You Give a Cat a Cupcake” and “Go Away Big Green Monster,” to the school’s library in their names.

All the winning teachers were also recognized and given $50 Visa Gift Cards to be used for their classrooms.