Nolan Middle School raises funds for its students with Color Run

Students at the Lakewood Ranch school don't mind getting a little messy for a good cause.

By Liz Ramos
| 8:15 p.m. March 9, 2023

Sixth graders Jaliyh Tartt, Sara Downs and Lily Bertrand love getting colors all over them.

East County
Schools

Sara Downs, Lily Bertrand and Jaliyh Tarrt, sixth graders at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, stood still as a volunteer poured purple baby powder on them.

Their clothes, faces and hair were already splashed with yellow, blue and pink. They knew wherever they would sit, they would leave a colorful mark.

"My parents just got a new car," Downs said with a laugh, knowing she would be covered in various colors from Nolan's Color Run March 9 when her parents pick her up from school.

The students weren't shy about getting a rainbow of colors dumped all over their hair, face and shirt. They knew it all was to raise funds for school supplies.

Julie Williams, a U.S. history teacher, saw a pair of students who had completely white shirts.

"They're too clean," Williams said while holding two cups of yellow baby powder. "I'm going to get them."

Besides the color run, students were able to enjoy snacks, play cornhole and football and participate in a game of kickball against Nolan Middle staff members.

Scott Jeffers, a student support specialist, was the only person not wearing a Nolan Middle Color Run shirt. Jeffers promised the students if they raised $10,000, he would wear a costume.

Jeffers kept his promise and walked around dressed as a taco, topped with a sombrero.

Eighth graders Olivia Cole and Elena Margioukla get their first hit of color. "I like being able to get dirty with color," Margioukla says.

A mist of pink takes over the field as students walk by.

Sixth graders Avery Ruffing and Adyson Shortridge have no problems with getting color in their hair.

Eighth graders Gabrielle Finnegan and Phoenix Theis, Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Byron Simon and seventh grader Sylvie Theis make their way around the field, adding a little color each time.

Ian Barnes, a U.S. history and civics teacher, moves quickly to make a double play.

Stefani Heidenthal, a teacher, prepares to pitch the ball in a kickball game against students.

Sixth grader Francisco Sanchez prepares to make a run for third base during a kickball game against R. Dan Nolan Middle School staff.

U.S. history teacher Julie Williams pours yellow baby powder over eighth grader Leila Borghesi's head. Borghesi says it was bittersweet to be participating in her last Color Run.

Jabari Nelson, an eighth grader, gives the Color Run a thumbs up. He says he likes running through all the colors.

Deborah Hossenlopp enjoys the Color Run with her sixth grader Quinn Hossenlopp.

Scott Jeffers, a student support specialist, dresses as a taco after promising students he'd dress in a funny suit if they raised $10,000 through the Color Run.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.