CARIBOU — The sky is the limit when you make learning (and in this case fundraising) fun! Students at Teague Park Elementary School put their boundless energy and enthusiasm to good use recently as they raised nearly $14,000 for the American Heart Association during their annual Jump Rope for Heart project.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Mrs. Jola Hebert’s fifth-grade classroom at Teague Park Elementary School in Caribou raised the most funds for the American Heart Association during the recent Jump Rope for Heart event. Helping to raise $2,848 toward the school’s record-breaking $14,000 donation were, from left, kneeling: Sebastian Marquis, Josh Cummings, Seth Roy, Theo Strid and Emily Austin. Standing: Alex Ezzy, Gabe Rand, Mrs. Hebert, Jason Willette, Devon Fuller, Ashley Violette, Riley McNeal, Katie Tardiff, Kassie Krul, Olivia Picard, Erin Jandreau, Abbey Espling, Brooke Haney, Brianna Reece and Madison Jandreau.
According to organizer and Teague Park physical education teacher Steve Austin, the school has raised nearly $85,000 for the popular charity in the past nine years. This year fifth-grader Theo Strid led the charge as he and his family accounted for 10 percent or $1,465 of the school-wide total.
According to Austin, Strid lost his grandfather in January to heart disease and was especially motivated to help the cause in dedication and memory of his loved one. “He and his mother sent lots of e-mails to friends and family asking them to donate to the American Heart Association via Theo. They received tremendous support through that,” Austin said.
Strid’s efforts helped push his homeroom, Mrs. Jola Hebert’s class, over the top as a group to claim highest fund-raising honors at $2,848. Rounding out the top five classrooms were Mrs. Gaunce at $1,586, Mrs. Duncan at $1,482, Mrs. St. Peter at $1,460 and Mrs. Savage at $1,358.
Students who raised at least $50 had their name added to the Jump Rope for Heart bicycle drawing; youth who raised more money for AHA had a better chance of winning as each $50 qualified for another slip of paper with their name in the hat. Cheyenne Cormier, a fourth-grader, won the girls’ bike while a fifth-grader, Carter Conley, claimed the boys’ prize. Principal Belanger drew the lucky winners’ names.
Another fun part of the Jump Rope for Heart event was the opportunity for the top six fund-raisers to “slime” one of several “celebrity” victims … all for a good cause of course. Taking turns in the chair with special hazard suits, hats and eyewear to deflect the goop, were special education teacher Cathy Kelly, ed tech Kristi Bray, secretary Patty Adams and Gary Urey, senior youth director of Maine for the American Heart Association.
Urey didn’t mind being “slimed” at all; he said the Caribou school is setting a fantastic example in the unending work to understand and prevent heart disease.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/ Barb Scott Teague Park fifth-grader, Carter Conley, was the winner of the boys’ bicycle during the recent Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. |
Aroostook Republican photo/ Barb Scott The girls’ bicycle was won by Cheyenne Cormier, a Teague Park fourth-grader, for raising at least $50 for the American Heart Association. |
“Steve Austin and the Jump Rope For Heart volunteers put on one of the best Jump Rope for Hearts in all of Maine. There are 170 schools in Maine who do Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart, and Teague Park Elementary is always in the top three fundraising schools in all of Maine.
“I am really in awe of the support that the Caribou community shows the American Heart Association. They have saved the lives of many Mainers over the years. Last year AHA gave away over $1.3 million just in Maine alone. We could not save people’s lives without the awesome kids and parents of Teague Park!” Urey said.
The message was not lost on the students either.
“Unfortunately more and more people are having troubles with their heart and so it is hitting home with a great deal of kids and their families. It motivated them to try and do more to help raise more for a cause that means something to them,” said Austin.
“It ties in very well with what I’m trying to teach my students. If we can raise money to help people in need then it’s an added bonus.”
