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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Centennial students run to raise funds


Anna Lee, left, and Molly Tabish of Adams Elementary sold popsicles Sept. 25 to raise money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. 
 (Courtesy of Laura Tabish / The Spokesman-Review)
Treva Lind Staff writer

An international flair kept Centennial Middle School students moving Tuesday as part of a fun run. Many who ran or walked a mile course around the school wore costumes from different countries. The fun run with the theme of “Passport to Adventure – World Travel” capped off the school’s major fund-raising days bringing in money for year-long activities. “Big applause for making our goal of $16,800,” Cathy Comar, the school’s athletic director, told the crowd before the run’s 9 a.m. start. Students who asked for donations before the run raised $19,000 as of late Tuesday.

For the run, an outdoor sound system played music to accompany teachers and kids around the course. Some of the music included the theme to “Indiana Jones” movies and international tunes.

Shelley Davis, a counselor and ASB advisor, directed the clusters of runners as they rounded a corner. She wore a sombrero and Mexican attire.

“I appreciate everyone running and bringing in donations for our ASB kids, and it goes to music, sports, assemblies,” Davis said. “It builds camaraderie.”

Leah Peterson, 12, planned to run the whole distance, “to get in shape,” she said. She stopped long enough to put down a sombrero and maracas after the first lap.

“I brought in $60,” she said, regarding her fund-raising goal, “from a teacher, my mom and myself. I wanted to reach my goal.”

Another student, 13-year-old Jason Hoffman, put another perspective on the run. “It’s fun. It’s time to hang out with your friends.”

The fund-raiser supports such programs as music, athletics, agenda books for the student body, Math Counts, student government, dances, honor roll and High Five activities.

Concert today

More than 100 students from two Spokane Valley elementary schools will perform in a patriotic concert today at Mirabeau Point Park.

The “Performance in the Park” at 4:30 p.m. will include the Eagle Singers from Adams Elementary and Solar Energy from Sunrise performing patriotic songs and other familiar tunes at the park’s main stage, 13500 Mirabeau Parkway.

The concert will include a guest appearance by soloist Amanda Tsubota, singing “God Bless America” with the children. A student at Eastern Washington University, Tsubota has performed at community events in the Valley and on several previous occasions with the Solar Energy group.

The two school groups will perform separately and also join together to sing three songs. The free event is expected to run about one hour, and the public is invited to attend.

Disabilities conference Wednesday

A conference on Wednesday night at University High School is aimed at helping students with disabilities make transitions after high school.

The Transition Mini Conference from 6 to 8:30 p.m. will have representatives from different agencies, including Worksource Spokane, Spokane County Parent Coalition, Spokane Community Colleges, Project Move, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Organizers have invited about 200 students from eighth grade through age 21 with disabilities. The students and their families are invited to meet teachers, learn about Central Valley School District’s transition program and visit with the agencies that serve individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 228-5505.

Students sell treats

Adams Elementary students Anna Lee and Molly Tabish have teamed up to support Hurricane Katrina victims. On Sept. 25, they sold popsicles out of a cooler they took around their neighborhood. Later, they set up a stand on a corner to continue sales.

The pair raised $109, which was donated to the Red Cross.

Laura Tabish, Molly’s mother, said the girls decided to do something after seeing pictures of the hurricane’s aftermath in “Time for Kids” magazine at school. This week, the two also were sending a box of toys, clothes and school supplies for kids in the Gulf Coast region.