Shannon Tran
Special to The Record
The third annual “St. Patrick’s Day” barbecue, basketball game and scavenger hunt was a fun success on March 15 at Aspen Park Elementary. This event was a main focus of the school’s leadership students in Grade 6 and 7, who need to earn the thousands of dollars necessary to make their end-of-year camping experience on Quadra Island a reality.
Ranging in age from 11 to 13, Aspen students had a multitude of jobs to accomplish in order to earn more than $1,600 in a two-hour period. Their work included publicity, sales, managing orders, baking, barbecuing and serving over 300 meals to the school population. Outside, they organized and ran a scavenger hunt open to K - Grade 3 students. The “pot of gold” was distributed to all participants later in the afternoon.
In the gym, older children and parents were treated to a riveting basketball game between the Aspen Grade 6/7 girls’ and boys’ teams. Most spectators agreed that it was an excellent prelude to NCAA ‘March Madness’ as the game was tied 16-16 with less than a minute left. The girls emerged victorious with some intense team play and a brilliant shot from outside the paint in the final seconds. Even the Aspen Yeti made an appearance, along with student alumni who took part in the half-time giveaways and refereeing.
Special thanks to Real Canadian Superstore (Ryan Rd.), Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s (Kilpatrick Ave.), and A&W Canada (Ryan Rd. & Guthrie Rd. locations) for their community support of the students’ efforts. With paper straws and recyclable materials, the environmental footprint was kept to a minimum this year. Students also wish to express their appreciation to the families that lent barbecues, as well as those who joined in on the preparations, clean-up, or attended and ate lunch with us. Along with staff and PAC contributions, it took a school-wide effort to once again create this memorable day.
Students have returned this week to finish the balance sheet as part of their math class, carefully monitored by Ms. Ballantyne in the Aspen Park office. Each dollar raised, once expenses have been accounted for, will lower the cost of Aspen’s Camp Homewood trip. Letters of appreciation are being carefully written to our sponsors and volunteers, providing students with a learning opportunity to say thank-you in a formal way.
“May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door!”