Elementary school holds its first annual Fun Run

Orcas kids raised nearly $4,000 for the public school’s outdoor education program.

Elementary students sought community donations in support of their participation in the first annual fall fun run on Nov. 8.

“It was like a big school party with music, community and family cheering, and students running, all in support of our elementary school,” said first-grade teacher Jennifer Johnston.

The Orcas Island Education Foundation donated over $20,000 for outdoor education, but the school district did not receive its anticipated state funding match. Donations are still open at www.givebutter.com/ZUAJX9.

Each grade ran for 30 minutes around the track with music between 8:45 and 11 a.m. The total raised was $3,960.

The top lap runners were as follows. Kindergarten: Patrick Davidson; first grade Mrs. Wood’s class: Whitley Jordan and Rowan Vaughn; first grade Mrs. Johnston’s class: Domenica Salierno; second grade: Ezra Shaw; third grade: Charlie Vechey; fourth grade: Cale Chord; fifth grade: Felix Nuneman; Montessori: Anthony Salierno and Teddy Kennedy; top runner overall: Ezra Shaw with 16 laps in 30 minutes; and top class average: Ms. Bella’s second grade with an average of 9.78 laps

Every student received a school Fun Run shirt, which were sponsored by The Orcas Island Market, Deer Harbor Marina and Darvill’s Bookstore. Top runners received prizes donated by Four Winds and Ray’s Pharmacy.