FARMINGTON – How can you make almost $200 for a worthwhile cause in under an hour? If you were to ask Maureen Oswald, a teacher at Mt. Blue Middle School, she might just tell you that it’s a piece of cake.
Oswald wanted to come up with a creative way to make some money for her school’s Student Assistance Team (SAT). The SAT endeavors to see to the emotional and financial needs of some of its students and is always in need of funds. When the school decided to have a Spirit Day last Wednesday before back-to-back Teachers’ Workshops, Oswald went to work soliciting cakes from parents, teachers and students. Within days, 170 confectionery donations came in. Students then bought chances for 25 cents a piece and received extra if they had brought in a cake.
The Cakewalk took place after an exciting day of faculty vs. students basketball games, elimination crossfire between students and teachers, student projects and an hour of silent sustained reading.
For 53 minutes, Assistant Principal Joel Smith called down the lucky ticket holders from the bleachers. The students then had to participate in a musical-chairs-style elimination game, and the lucky winners got to select any cake they wanted. One hundred and seventy lucky and delighted students went home with more than just their backpacks and homework assignments.
“What a fun and memorable way to do some good,” commented SAT member and school guidance counselor Jan Welch. “We are so fortunate to live in a caring and generous community. Parents really rose to the occasion on this one, which was not surprising. Our parents are the best.”
Mt. Blue Middle School doing it again! Making the news, making good things happen, finding new ways of making a difference. Great job Maureen and MBMS!