Day 624 -- The United Way "What Floats Your Boat?"
Today, I got to miss school, dress up like Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island, and see my friends and colleagues sink to the bottom of a pond.
That's a good day.
It was all part of the United Way's fundraiser, entitled, "What Floats Your (Cardboard) Boat?" that took place at Cascades Park today. Western High School decided to enter a boat and crew. The student council paid the donation entry fee, which went to United Way programming in Jackson County. Students built and decorated our cardboard boat, which we spent the day transporting to the park in preparation for the race. Teachers, however, had to make up the crew due to an age requirement, so 7 of us teachers had the day to prepare for our role as the cast and crew of the WHS Minnow.
As part of the crew, we decided to have a theme. We dressed up like the cast of Gilligan's Island. I was given the role of Mary Ann. We also had the Skipper, Gilligan, Ginger, The Howell's, and the Professor. Going out to The Roxy Cafe this morning for breakfast in our full regalia was a trip.
When two of our teachers lined up for the start of the race, the boat began taking on water immediately. The boat didn't even make it to the start line, but luckily for us, not only did we have a theme, we had a back-up plan.
You see, one of the prizes was for "The Most Spectacular Sinking". Since the boat was student-built, we had a feeling that it might not hold up so well -- after all, THEY weren't the ones who were going in it. We knew that the sinking prize was up for grabs, so being the chemistry teachers we are, Jeff Messer and I decided to add a few special effects to our boat. With a little hydrogen peroxide and some potassium permanganate, we were able to make our boat look as though it was smoking profusely as it went down. Hey, chemistry at work is a beautiful thing.
The paper was there to document it all. Our sinking managed to dominate the article. You can see it here.
I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this event. Not only was it a fun day away from school, but I was truly grateful to represent Western in the support of a worthy and important cause. Even if it meant sinking to the bottom of a pond.
Thank God for the United Way "What Floats Your Boat?" Event!
Lord, thank you for a fun, relaxing day and for letting me contribute to a tremendously important cause. Thank you for allowing me to work for a school who values community support. In your name I pray, Amen.
That's a good day.
It was all part of the United Way's fundraiser, entitled, "What Floats Your (Cardboard) Boat?" that took place at Cascades Park today. Western High School decided to enter a boat and crew. The student council paid the donation entry fee, which went to United Way programming in Jackson County. Students built and decorated our cardboard boat, which we spent the day transporting to the park in preparation for the race. Teachers, however, had to make up the crew due to an age requirement, so 7 of us teachers had the day to prepare for our role as the cast and crew of the WHS Minnow.
As part of the crew, we decided to have a theme. We dressed up like the cast of Gilligan's Island. I was given the role of Mary Ann. We also had the Skipper, Gilligan, Ginger, The Howell's, and the Professor. Going out to The Roxy Cafe this morning for breakfast in our full regalia was a trip.
When two of our teachers lined up for the start of the race, the boat began taking on water immediately. The boat didn't even make it to the start line, but luckily for us, not only did we have a theme, we had a back-up plan.
You see, one of the prizes was for "The Most Spectacular Sinking". Since the boat was student-built, we had a feeling that it might not hold up so well -- after all, THEY weren't the ones who were going in it. We knew that the sinking prize was up for grabs, so being the chemistry teachers we are, Jeff Messer and I decided to add a few special effects to our boat. With a little hydrogen peroxide and some potassium permanganate, we were able to make our boat look as though it was smoking profusely as it went down. Hey, chemistry at work is a beautiful thing.
The paper was there to document it all. Our sinking managed to dominate the article. You can see it here.
I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this event. Not only was it a fun day away from school, but I was truly grateful to represent Western in the support of a worthy and important cause. Even if it meant sinking to the bottom of a pond.
Thank God for the United Way "What Floats Your Boat?" Event!
Lord, thank you for a fun, relaxing day and for letting me contribute to a tremendously important cause. Thank you for allowing me to work for a school who values community support. In your name I pray, Amen.
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