During his time in a turkey suit at the first Mona Jain Middle School Walk-a thon Nov. 22, J.R. Boatwright was careful not to tear the costume.
"It's not my first time in a turkey costume," said Boatwright, the school's band and orchestra teacher. "I knew not to do certain movements so it didn't pop open like last year."
Students were able to vote for nine teachers who volunteered to wear the suit. Boatwright received the most votes, so he gobbled and walked alongside students during the event.
The walk-a-thon raised money for the United Way and also served as a sendoff for students and teachers as they go into Thanksgiving break, said Josie Purcell, the Parent Teacher Organization president.
Besides walking around the field behind the school, students also enjoyed Kona Ice and chose different temporary tattoos.
An exciting activity for the school was a tug of war competition between about eight teachers and staff members and about nine eighth graders.
It didn't take long for the teachers and staff members to slide to the ground and the eighth graders to claim victory.
Laila Ward and Caitlyn Webb, both eighth-graders, lead a group of students during a school-wide dance party at the end of the walk-a-thon.
London Mcmichael, Taylor Krame, Grayce Bittenbender, Lacey Salvatori and Claire Femenia, all seventh-graders, enjoy the walk-a-thon on their last day of school before Thanksgiving break.
Montana Romine and Sofia Ortega, sixth-graders, walk together. Ortega liked being out of class to participate in the event.
Wende Wicks, a reading teacher, falls as Jillian Cucci, an intensive reading teacher, holds on during a round of tug of war. "This is exactly what the kids wanted," Cucci said after the staff lost. "They wanted us on our butts."
Teachers and faculty members beam with confidence before facing a group of eighth graders in a tug of war.
Steven Zickafoose, assistant principal, explains the rules of the tug of war.
Armando Salmeron, a seventh-grader, showed off his moves during the school-wide dance at the end of the walk-a-thon.
Teachers and staff members stumble and fall to the ground leaving the eighth graders victorious in a tug of war.
Isabella Mullis and Kenzie Hartmark, sixth-graders, walk together during the walk-a-thon. Hartmark said it was fun to listen to music and walk around.
Principal Angela Lindsey wishes the more than 600 Mona Jain Middle School students a wonderful Thanksgiving break.
PTO members Tara Parker, Angel Kersey and Tamika Ward get a photo in front of a fall backdrop with ESE paraprofessional Miriam Ortiz.
Conner Coffaro, an eighth-grader, put several temporary tattoos on his face and arms.
Olivia Autrey and Hana Pierce, sixth-graders, show off their temporary tattoos. Pierce chose a shark because her brother, Ethan, has a shark collection, and Autrey chose a parrot and 'Aloha' because it reminded her of the beach.
Kathryn Campbell, Yesenia Alvarado-Rios, Claire Van Nortwick and Faith Blash, all sixth-graders, enjoy Kona Ice. The girls chose flavors such as coconut, blue raspberry, cherry, tiger blend and cotton candy.
Art teacher Jeannie Mendez dances with seventh grader Tykia Robinson.
J.R. Boatwright, dressed as a turkey, and eighth-grader Jahnae Hill walked together. Boatwright gobbled every so often while walking.
Eighth-graders gather all their strength to defeat teachers and staff members in a round of tug of war.
Students paid $2 to shove whipped cream in science teacher Brittany Delvin's face.
Wende Wicks, a reading teacher, claps along to DNCE's "Cake by the Ocean."
Henry Santos and Luis Martinez, sixth-graders, walk while enjoying Sidekicks, which are frozen flavored ice cups.
