Pirates Invade Lewis Elementary

A band of merry pirates invaded  on Thursday morning and again in the afternoon to lead the kick-off to the school’s fourth annual Pride Walk fund-raiser.

Before the pirates arrived, Kristin Tonelli, Lewis principal, talked with students in the school pavilion about their role in this important fund-raiser. Students get sponsors to pledge a certain amount of money for each lap they complete around the field. School teams each cheered in turn as Tonelli lead a rally in preparation for the Pride Walk fund-raising competition.

Jennifer Terry and Cyndi Keating, members of the Lewis PTA Executive Committee, welcomed the “real” pirates as they arrived at the school.

But the pirates were not just at Lewis Elementary to entertain during the Pride Walk Kick-off. They were also here to help. When they pointed out to students that Tonelli wasn’t dressed as a proper pirate, everyone—students and teachers—chanted loudly for Tonelli’s costume makeover.  Tonelli turned over the key to the school to the pirates and left for her transformation. She returned 20 minutes later in full pirate regalia.

The volunteer pirates, costumes for Tonelli and free beads were made possible through a donation of a local company. When Lewis parent Jennifer Hauanio attended her first PTA meeting of the year and heard about the pirate theme, she immediately volunteered the help of her company, Buccaneer Beads.

“I thought a big pirate invasion would blow the kids away,” said Hauanio.

The day ended happily for teachers and students alike. Everyone left the pirate invasion fired up and ready to find pledges for the walk on Oct. 14.