Education race ups $ at SJNCS
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St. John Neumann Catholic School third-grader Aleyse Moulton hitches a ride on the back of fourth-grader Rosie Rapien during the Race for Education fundraiser SJNCS hosted May 6. - Photo submitted
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The pie thrown by Olivia Campbell, SJNCS pre-kindergartner, found the face of SJNCS principal Bill Derbyshire as part of the school’s May 6 Race for Education fundraiser. - Photo submitted
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SJNCS administrators on hand, from left, were principal Bill Derbyshire, admissions director Mary Marlowe, academic dean Sabrina Talley and development director Patrick Wade. - Photo submitted
To help St. John Neumann Catholic School improve its outdoor spaces and recreational equipment, the school held an inaugural Race for Education Thursday, May 6.
“Our school has experienced tremendous growth over the last couple years,” said Stephanie Greiner, director of communications for SJN Church and School. “With this growth came a need for a new fundraiser to help purchase, maintain and upgrade our outdoor spaces and recreational equipment.”
As part of the event, Greiner said students walked or jogged around a designated area as many times as possible during a one-hour period.
“Each student raised funds by asking sponsors to contribute a donation to St. John Neumann Catholic School,” she added. “This fundraiser has completly exceeded our expectations.
The initial goal “was $15,000, but we actually raised $45,000,” Greiner said. “Thanks to the students exceeding their goals, our principal (Bill Derbyshire), along with other administration, dyed their hair green.
“Principal Derbyshire also ended up getting 12 pies in his face,” she added. “We also had Kona Snow Cones for every student and faculty/staff member during the race.
“We are really thrilled about this fundraiser and what it means for our school and church community.”
The organizers of the race were Patrick Wade, SJN’s director of Development, and Mary Marlowe, director of Admissions. Greiner said the idea for the fundraiser came from second-grade teacher Jeni Sompayrac.
“The entire school — 352 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade — participated,” she added.
