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Willis Elementary hosts first Games with Grandparents in Lakewood Ranch


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 11:30 a.m. September 9, 2023
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
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Cynthia Rogers and Charles Rogers love spending Friday nights watching movies with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers. 

Instead of a movie Sept. 8, Cynthia and Charles Rogers and Leathers decided to switch up their Friday night plans.

They attended Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents. Leathers is a first grader at the school.

"We always love to have fun Friday nights with our granddaughter, and this is another great opportunity," Cynthia Rogers said. "We are excited about the games and having the chance to meet her friends and teachers."

Dozens of grandparents played games, ate ice cream and made crafts with their grandchildren. 

Paul Downie, a third grader, said he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to spend time with his grandma, Jill Downie.

"I like that I get to be with my family," he said. 

Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Cynthia Rogers and her husband, Charles Rogers, love having Friday night fun with their granddaughter Kendall Leathers (center), a first grader. They usually have a movie night, but on Sept. 8, they decided to attend Willis Elementary's Games with Grandparents.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Parent-Teacher Organization President Allie Freund, third grader Peyton Hill, PTO secretary Mindy Buckley, Missy Wienandy dressed as the school's mascot, PTO vice president Jess Tripoli and treasurer Colleen Laughlin are thrilled to see so many grandparents in attendance.
Parent-Teacher Organization President Allie Freund, third grader Peyton Hill, PTO secretary Mindy Buckley, Missy Wienandy dressed as the school's mascot, PTO vice president Jess Tripoli and treasurer Colleen Laughlin are thrilled to see so many grandparents in attendance.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Luka Tabachnick, a second grader, has a blast with his grandmother Jean Fox and brother Zayden Tabachnick, a kindergartner.
Luka Tabachnick, a second grader, has a blast with his grandmother Jean Fox and brother Zayden Tabachnick, a kindergartner. "I'm excited because it's been a crazy couple weeks for me," Fox says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Charlie Hill and Janine Hill look forward to meeting first grader Cora Comeaux's teacher.
Charlie Hill and Janine Hill look forward to meeting first grader Cora Comeaux's teacher.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jill Downie plays a board game with her grandson Paul Downie, a third grader.
Jill Downie plays a board game with her grandson Paul Downie, a third grader. "I love when she plays with me," Paul Downie says of his grandmother.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Tim O'Connor, kindergartner Shane Flynn, Anibal Colon, Brenda O'Connor and fourth grader Emmy Flynn enjoy a quick round of putt putt.
Tim O'Connor, kindergartner Shane Flynn, Anibal Colon, Brenda O'Connor and fourth grader Emmy Flynn enjoy a quick round of putt putt.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Julie McLaughlin teaches her grandson Mason Wisor, a first grader, how to putt.
Julie McLaughlin teaches her grandson Mason Wisor, a first grader, how to putt. "We're having a grand time," McLaughlin says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jan Medford makes picture frames with her granddaughter MaryKate Medford, a first grader, and her husband, Morgan Medford.
Jan Medford makes picture frames with her granddaughter MaryKate Medford, a first grader, and her husband, Morgan Medford. "We like to celebrate (MaryKate) any way we can," Morgan Medford says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Laura Griffin and Patricia Jacobsen make a memory with kindergartner Grace Martin and second grader John Martin.
Laura Griffin and Patricia Jacobsen make a memory with kindergartner Grace Martin and second grader John Martin.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jeff Gundersen plays basketball with his grandson Rafael Sastoque during Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents night.
Jeff Gundersen plays basketball with his grandson Rafael Sastoque during Robert E. Willis Elementary School's first Games with Grandparents night.
Photo by Liz Ramos
David McGrath loves seeing the artwork his granddaughter Summer Allen, a first grader, makes. McGrath says he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to meet some of Allen's friends.
David McGrath loves seeing the artwork his granddaughter Summer Allen, a first grader, makes. McGrath says he loved Games with Grandparents because he was able to meet some of Allen's friends.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

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.

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