September 18, 2022
By: Bill Conger
The DeKalb West School Bulldogs were left off their chain so to speak on Friday (September 16). Students laced up their running shoes for the “Run for the Dogs” school fundraiser.
“Our “Run for the Dogs” event was amazing!” PTO President Shelly Barnes said. “The students were excited, the staff was supportive, families volunteered and were helpful, and the weather was perfect. With any event, it takes all hands on deck for a successful outcome. We are grateful that everyone involved stepped up to make this event a huge success. The event exceeded our expectations.”
The last fun run was held in 2019 due to pandemic restrictions the previous two years, and Barnes says people were excited for the event’s return.
“Parental involvement was spectacular,” Barnes says. “It was fun seeing families cheer their student on or run together. Parental involvement is key in building an effective parent teacher organization. We are thankful that we have families engaged at our school and are willing to show up and show out for our students.”
Students were given lanyards with tally cards to keep up with the number of laps they run.
“Students are motivated to achieve a personal goal. At the end of the event, students receive a small prize and an ice pop. The students that raise the most money in each grade band, and the student with the most money raised overall wins a grand prize.
The grand prize winner was second grader Sydney Turner. In the PreK-1st division the top fundraiser was Maddox Walter, in 2nd-3rd—Eden Donnell, Rebekah Goss in 4th-6th, and Timothy Goss, 7th-8th.
“Run for the Dogs” was sponsored by Liberty State Bank, Prichard’s Foods, and Luke Prichard Excavating.