Giggles and looks of astonishment filled the gym at Seiberling Community Learning Center as students and staff watched their principal kiss a pink pony on Monday during their weekly kickoff assembly.
Jennifer Moff put on lipstick, puckered up and kissed Bailey — twice (because some students seated at the back of the gym didn’t see the first kiss). Bailey, a 14-year-old miniature horse, was painted with pink hair spray, had a fresh manicure with pink nail polish on his hooves and wore a pink bandana and pink leg wraps.
“I was surprised because I wasn’t sure where they were going to find a pink pony,” said Emmalynn Yanchek, 8. “Everyone was so excited. My friend sitting next to me said, ‘Oh, my God! I can’t believe it!’ ”
The pony, which is being trained to become a therapy animal, was delivered by Monica Meyer, an art teacher at Seiberling and her daughter, Sofie, a 4-H participant who shows her horses. The family owns a farm in Norton.
“Bailey is really good around people,” Meyer said. “He’s been here before for the opening of our greenhouse. But this is the first time he’s shown up anywhere in pink.”
Moff’s kiss, which she described as “much softer than she expected,” was done to fulfill a promise.
“I told the students and staff that if they reached the goal of raising $600 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, I would kiss a pony,” Moff said. “Well, they more than doubled it.”
Each year, schools in the Akron Public Schools district participate in the Akron Education Association’s fundraising effort for breast cancer research via the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. The Akron Making Strides walk took place on Saturday.
Last year, Seiberling raised $300. This year, the school wanted to contribute double that amount as a way to show support for one of its teachers who is recovering from surgery and treatment for breast cancer. As of Monday morning, more than $1,500 had been raised.
That teacher, Lorine Napoli, who is now cancer-free and hoping to return to her kindergarten class soon, made a special trip to the school on Monday to thank her school community for its support. Napoli considers herself fortunate because she was diagnosed early during an annual mammogram.
“It’s heartwarming to know that they were thinking of me throughout all of their fundraising and worked so hard to raise money to help people struggling with this illness,” Napoli said. “I wanted to be here to let them know I appreciate what they’ve done, but being here just makes me miss them more.”
Emmalynn said Napoli and a friend’s mother who had breast cancer were her inspiration to donate money to the cause. The third-grader contributed by buying a pink breast cancer awareness bracelet and several pink paper link chains and chipping in $10 of her allowance money, which she was saving to buy the Lego Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster set.
“I wanted to give because some people need help,” Emmalynn said. “We can help by giving money for research, and maybe we can find a cure.”
Emmalynn’s commitment to making a difference is a source of encouragement to Moff, who wanted her students to learn the importance of giving back during the fundraising effort.
“This was a chance for our students to learn about breast cancer and stand up for a cause that makes a big difference in the lives of others,” Moff said. “It was really personal this year, because we came together for someone we love and care about.”
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.