Fans And Friends Turn Out For Carnival And Basketball Game
BY SARAH KURMIN — MIRROR REPORTER
The Holland Springfield Alumni Association hosted a successful and exciting evening of carnival events followed by a celebrity basketball game at Springfield High School on March 14.
The carnival consisted of 11 games, including the lollipop game, frog game, hat wheel, duck pond and an assortment of others.
Also setting up shop was a children’s Home Depot work shop. Kids were offered a bag of wood cutouts and the tools needed to build the wood into a miniature castle. Information was available about the free kids’ workshop program that takes place the first Saturday of each month, at any Home Depot location.
More fun and games at the carnival included three inflatables, face painting, a balloon artist, a silent auction for baskets of goods and five costumed mascots dressed as an eagle, lion, bumble bee, devil and dinosaur.
The celebrity basketball game began at 7:30 p.m. and started with the live auctioning off of the “best seats in the house.”
Springfield High School junior Cody Yoder won with the highest bid of $450. He and his guest enjoyed the game by relaxing courtside in two oversized recliners, with SHS principal Steve Gwin waiting on them for the evening.
The teams were made of Springfield teachers and staff and the 13 ABC All-Stars.
During halftime, Lori Eckel was honored with the annual Distinguished Alumni Award for her service as alumni coordinator until late last year. Between the third and fourth quarters, the winners of the raffle and silent auction were announced.
The teams played an intense back-and-forth game. The 13 ABC All-Stars won 58-59 by making a final two-point shot in the last few seconds.
Alumni association organizers were pleased with the turnout of students, alumni, faculty, fans and families.
Dorianne Cox, director of the alumni association and the event, said the association’s goal was to raise enough money to give a scholarship to each graduating senior with plans to continue to college.
Teacher’s Last Leprechaun Prank Delights Students
BY KAREN BERGER – MIRROR REPORTER
Linda Moden has shared her St. Patrick’s Day prank with kindergartners over the past six years, but the Holloway Elementary teacher never tires of painting her feet green.
“I really enjoy doing it for the children,” said Moden, who will retire after teaching for 35 years.
After spending a week reading and doing activities about leprechauns, Moden’s green-clad kindergartners filed past paper leprechauns bearing their faces into their colorful classroom Monday morning.
They discovered a note left by a leprechaun, who left their teacher a derby hat, shillelagh (cane) and cup of green tea.
After reading Leprechauns Never Lie by Lorna and Lecia Bailen, the class was interrupted by Karen Candiello’s kindergarten class, who warned Moden not to drink the tea.
“What should I do?” Moden asked her students.
“Go to the bathroom!” replied one girl, to laughs.
“Take your shoes off!” suggested another.
With all eyes glued to her feet, Moden removed her shamrock socks to reveal green soles. The children laughed, giggled and even cried at the sight of her feet.
According to the Web site www.irelandseye.com, leprechauns are shoemakers who are guardians of ancient treasure left by the Danes when they maurauded through Ireland. If caught by a mortal, leprechauns will promise wealth if allowed to go free. Leprechauns carry two pouches – one with a silver shilling, and another with a gold coin used to bribe his way out of difficult situations. The coin usually turns to ashes once the leprechaun parts with it.
In classrooms, the tricky leprechauns are known to make a mess, leave tiny footprints and, sometimes even treats.