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Wal-Mart donates supplies, gifts to Watson
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor.Lisa Knutti (left) and Watson principal Shelia Polumbo shared their smiles moments before their big reveal.
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What can it be? Watson’s students waited impatiently for the big surprise to be revealed.
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Wal-Mart representative Lisa Knutti (left) was inundated with thank you’s after her presentation, including gratitude from $100 gift card winner Robin Krempasky (right).
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Watson principal Shelia Polumbo took the microphone after the presentation to thank her staff and students, saying “I can’t wait to come to school each morning…”
By SARAH FOOR
There were many expectant faces at Watson Elementary Oct. 21, as the faculty and students gathered in the auditorium for a surprise presentation.
When Watson principal Shelia Polumbo took the microphone to say, “Wal-Mart has a surprise for us!” the room erupted in excited screams.
Austintown Wal-Mart’s community coordinator, Lisa Knutti, waited until the screams died down to explain.
“Through Teacher Rewards, Wal-Mart donates millions to teachers everywhere. We think it’s a shame that many teachers pay $500 a year out of pocket to support their classrooms. Austintown Wal-Mart is donating to Watson today because it had been part of Austintown for nearly 50 years now. We also wanted to make Mrs. Polumbo’s first year as principal a very special one,” said Knutti.
In all, Wal-Mart gave nearly $7,000 worth of school supplies and gift cards to Watson teachers. Ten teachers in particular won $100 gift cards, and the rest of the Watson faculty received $25 gift cards and a gift bag of classroom supplies.
Polumbo, after the excitement was over, thanked her faculty for the surprise.
“I leave here every day, and I can’t wait to come back the next morning. I love all of you, and I’m so happy that this wonderful gift has been given to all of us.”