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Ursuline Preschool principal goes for a spin
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Carrie Simmons (right) visited Ursuline Preschool on May 24 to add her funds to the Race for Education and to support Sister Charlotte Italiano during her motorcycle ride. Simmons’ daughter Alyssa, who is now a senior at Canfield High School, attended the school and Carrie has continued to support the school since her daughter left.
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Italiano and motorcyclist Patrick Pilolli were on their way, as the school’s students chanted “Sister Charlotte! Sister Charlotte!”
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Italiano looked happy after her ride was done, as she threw her arms up in the air and let out a breath of air.
By SARAH FOOR
At the beginning of the school year, Sister Charlotte Italiano, director and principal of Ursuline Preschool, made a promise that she would ride a motorcycle if her students beat last year’s fundraising total in their “Race for Education” walk.
A few months and $16,000 later, Italiano jumped on a motorcycle on May 25.
“Well, some mothers came up with the idea, and I agreed, never thinking we’d raise such an amazing amount,” Italiano shared before her ride, while dressing up in a leather jacket, chaps and riding boots.
“This will be my first time on a motorcycle ever, and for me, it’s a once in a lifetime thing,” she admitted.
Thanks to funding through the Race for Education, the school has not had to increase its tuition in five years. Italiano hopes the fundraising for this year will cover operating costs and purchase a large playground item to add the school’s facility.
Carrie Simmons was on hand to see the ride. Simmons has been donating funds to the school for 13 years since her daughter, Alyssa, now a senior at Canfield High School, attended the preschool.
“My daughter was educated here and I feel it has everything to do with her success. I’ll never stop investing in the school,” Simmons shared before sneaking out to see the show.
Soon, it was time for the big moment. Ursuline student Rocco Turner asked family friend Patrick Pilolli to provide the bike. Italiano hopped on the back of Pilolli’s bike and took a ride around the school’s parking lot as her students chanted her name.
“A biker I’m definitely not, but I had a whole lot of fun,” Italiano admitted after the ride.