Penny Wars at Licking Elementary

Photo by Shari Harris
The first dive into cold water is the worst!

By Shari Harris, Publisher

Licking Elementary School was a “war” zone the second half of October – a Penny War, that is! Students and staff raised money to go to Convoy of Hope for hurricane relief efforts, and a fierce battle was waged to “punish” Principal Brian Barry by meeting their goals. Three separate goal levels came with separate “punishments” for their beloved principal. If they exceeded the top goal – $5,000.00 – he would face all of the “punishments.”

In the first week, the first two goals were met, and by the end, $7,167.82 was raised, exceeding everyone’s expectations.

On Friday, November 8, Principal Barry made good on his promises, and he accepted his punishments with a smile. Sporting bubblegum pink hair and an “achieving grapeness” beard, he spent a large part of the day stranded on the school roof. An elementary assembly in the afternoon featured him accepting more “punishment.” Selected students gave him ten whipped cream pies to the face. Reactions of the students involved varied, ranging from tentative, to doing a happy dance after the deed was complete. The students assembled who were observing roared out their support, clapping and stomping their feet and filling the gymnasium with sound.

Then all trekked outside for the ice-cold water dunk, courtesy of the Licking Rural Fire Department’s portable water tank. Mr. Barry patiently waited for all students to surround the tank before he submerged himself in the cold water on a chilly afternoon. Students shouted and cheered as he arose to fall multiple times into the water, culminating the experience with a belly flop at the urging of his students.

The students, staff and families showed their true spirit of giving, along with a bit of determination to meet their goals. Mrs. Hale’s second grade class raised the most money – $665.76, followed by Miss Knarr’s first grade class – $638.32, and PreK/Daycare – $484.61.

Photos by Shari Harris