Union City Elementary School students came through again to aid the less fortunate.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said students and staff collected an amazing 13,518 food items that are to be divided equally among two charitable organizations before the holidays.
A majority of the items were donated as part of the annual Turkey Trot and PACER Run – a practice that allows students to collect pledges and sponsors based on the number of laps they run or walk during PE class. Other items were pledged by the public.
Representatives of the charitable groups picked up the goods at the school this week and will use them to feed and distribute to the less fortunate over Thanksgiving and Christmas and as part of the ‘Feeding of the 5,000.’
Elementary School physical education teachers Nelson Youngblood and Russ Brown coordinated the “Turkey Trot,” which gave students extra incentive during regular class activity.
Students in Aubree Guess’ 1st-grade group brought in 1,103 items to win a class competition between all grades. Fourth-graders Jack Clark (81) and Meliahya Morrow (64) were the top boy/girl in the individual competition.
The top three students in each grade received medals.
KINDERGARTEN
1ST Place – Emma Jackson, Knox Conely
2nd Place – Amelia Lopez, Emilo Ramirez
3rd Place – Parker Stewart, Grady Flood
1ST GRADE
1ST Place – Addyson Dill, Carylynn Pruitt, Bode Sherwood
2nd Place – Cora Martin, Will Parker Cruce
3rd Place – Maggie Clark, Victoria Acevedo, Carson Holloman
2nd GRADE
1ST Place – Makayla Cook, Grayson Holloman
2nd Place – Alayah Davis, Malaysia Cook, Emitt Miller
3rd Place – Amelia Parks, David Sims, Max Lattus
3rd GRADE
1ST Place – Sariah Barford, Charlie Parks
2nd Place – Wendy Trejo, Connor Rice
3rd Place – Amayiah Wilkins, Jerome Hill
4th GRADE
1ST Place – Meliahya Morrow, Jack Clark
2nd Place – Jade Fitts, Henry Baumgardner
3rd Place – Julia Kate Cruce, Wesley Duncan