Ready, set, go! L-S kindergartners and first graders are off to the races during the 2025 Walkathon on Friday, May 9. At right, L-S Elementary Principal Teri Bowlin stands near the fundraising thermometer. Students exceeded the goal, which resulted in Bowlin turning into a banana split.
The sun shined as bright as the smiles on the faces of Lynnville-Sully K-5 students on Friday afternoon, May 9, for the annual Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation Walkathon. Now in its 11th year, the LSCEF Walkathon connected students with generous family, friends, and area businesses in an effort to raise funds for projects geared specifically toward K-5 students. This year’s Walkathon had a lofty $20,000 goal to meet. Faithful supporters stepped up with Friday’s grand reveal delivering the much-anticipated results: The students exceeded their goal, bringing in $20,005.
The Walkathon was such a sweet success that Mrs. Teri Bowlin, elementary principal, held up her end of the bargain and was transformed into a banana split. Students who participated in the fundraising had their names entered into a drawing where two students from each grade level were randomly selected for the opportunity to pour toppings all over Mrs. Bowlin, who donned a bright yellow banana suit for the occasion. Chocolate and strawberry syrup, sprinkles, caramel bits, and whipped cream were smothered all over Mrs. Bowlin, with kindergartners adding the finishing touch, cherries on top. Teachers from the top three fundraising classes – Mrs. Malory Hamre (fifth grade), Mrs. Sabrina Edsen (third grade), and Miss Jordan Spooner filling in for Mrs. Shannon Bennington (kindergarten) also got to plaster Mrs. Bowlin with whipped cream.
Games and fun on the track took place before and after the assembly.
K-5 teachers competed in a fun relay game involving cones and balls that pumped up the young crowd’s energy. L-S third graders in Mrs. Edsen and Mrs. Lisa Jansen’s class were winners of the $100 bill for raising the most money. Their teachers will be able to use the money as needed for the students before the school year is complete. After the grand reveal and transformation of Mrs. Bowlin into a banana split, the students took turns by grade level running, walking, and skipping along the track while music pumped from the speakers. A football toss, hurdles, balance beam, and tunnel were placed on the corners of the track for added fun. Even Ellis the Hawk made an appearance and handed out high fives and hugs. After their time on the track was over, students cooled off with a sweet ice cream treat, fitting for this year’s theme.
“Each year, we are apprehensive about weather and raising enough funds, but once again both things turned out wonderfully!” said Kyra Smith, LSCEF Director. “The Walkathon fundraising is truly a team effort between students, parents, classroom teachers, businesses, front office gals, and even the postal system! We are so thankful for donors near and far who helped financially support the Walkathon this year. It was a fun-filled, beautiful day!”
This year’s Walkathon total amount raised of $20,005 pushes the 11-year fundraising total over $185,000. All funds from the 2025 Walkathon are earmarked for supporting the needs of K-5 students and staff following the extensive renovation taking place this summer.
Caramel bits were added to the human banana split by third-graders Rowyn Vos and Jaren Vander Molen.
Sprinkles added a colorful touch and flavor, poured on by first-graders Cash Van Wyk and Oaklynn Vos.
HarLee Nunnikhoven and Rylin Lafferty dance around the track to the music during the LSCEF Walkathon.
