By Derek Simon

On October 9th, SEAS School held their annual marathon fundraiser. The school has been holding the fundraiser for decades, but because of the coronavirus, the students were unable to invite guests. In previous years, parents, grandparents, and pets have been invited to walk with the kids. Students collected pledges from family and friends. When the pledges were turned in, they received tickets they would turn in for chances to win a prize of their choosing. The students also accepted prayer requests from their sponsors.

As a nonpublic school, SEAS School does not receive funds from the federal or state government. The school receives money through tuition and fundraising. All proceeds of the fundraiser are used at SEAS School. No fundraising dollars were used for salaries or building improvements, all monies raised going towards new technology for the students. Chromebooks and walkie talkies are two examples of what the school will be buying with these funds.

The students were divided into different groups for their walk. Kindergartners walked around the building for their marathon. First and second graders walked close to two miles, third to eight grades walked a three-mile marathon.

All the students were provided a healthy treat after their marathon walk. SEAS School would like to thank Afton Apple, Coborn’s, Cub Foods, and Wal-Mart for their donations for these treats and for helping to celebrate the schools’ event.

The school’s fundraising goal for this year was $33,000. If the students were able to meet the goal, principal Tim Sullivan would spend 24 hours at the school. The students also got to vote on what pajama’s principal Sullivan would wear. They voted for teddy bear one-piece pajama. They voted on where principal Sullivan would walk in his pajamas to get a treat. The students voted for him to walk to Dairy Queen. That long walk to Vermillion Street would give plenty of residents an opportunity to see the principal. They also voted on the book principal Sullivan would read as a bedtime story to the students on Facebook. The kids chose the book, don’t let the pigeon stay up late.

The student’s and their families crushed the school’s fundraising goal as they raised almost $41,000! On Friday, principal Sullivan walked to Dairy Queen and was greeted by some students and families. At 7:00pm he read the bedtime story on Facebook. Through out the evening updates were provided on Facebook to what the principal was up to. He spent some time in prayer, watched some television on a white board, and practiced his shooting on the basketball court. Also brought in a inflatable air bed to sleep on in one of the classrooms.

We would like to thank Sheila Hedin and principal Tim Sullivan for providing us with information for their event.

Students of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton prepare to go on their marathon fundraiser. Each student gathered pledges from friends and family to raise funds for the school to help purchase supplies like technology upgrades. Photo courtesy of Shelia Hedin