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School raised money for Boardman teacher
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Market Street Elementary students filled the school's lunch room for the Stick it to Stitt event.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Market Street Elementary Principal James Stitt got cut down at the conclusion of the Stick it to Stitt event.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.A Market Street Elementary students added more duct tape to keep Principal James Stitt taped to the pole during the Stick it to Stitt event.
By TIM CLEVELAND
After Boardman High School teacher Christine Terlesky was diagnosed with ALS last year, the community has stepped up in efforts to raise money for her medical bills.
Market Street Elementary School, which Terlesky attended as a young girl, has done the same and on March 28 the school had a Stick it to Stitt event in the school’s lunch room. For every student who brought in at least a dollar to donate, they would get a chance to duct tape Principal James Stitt to a pole in the entrance to the lunch room.
“Our PTA came up with the idea and asked me if I’d be interested in being duct taped to either the wall or the pole to help chip in for Christine Terlesky, a past Boardman student and teacher,” he said. “She’s going through some issues with ALS. We just thought anything we can do to help out. The kids came together and all brought a dollar in to help tape me to the pole. It’s for a great cause.”
Stitt said 427 students donated to Terlesky’s cause.
“Some brought in more money than needed, so we’re hoping to have a nice little chunk of change to chip in for Chris,” Stitt said.
The pole had cardboard taped to it, then Stitt stood on an exercise plank with his back to the pole. The students came up a couple at a time, wrapping duct tape around Stitt from his ankles to his chest. After all the students had a turn, the exercise plank was removed. Stitt slid down the pole slightly, but was still dangling off the ground.
Stitt said he enjoyed participating in an event that would raise money for such a good cause.
“It was fun,” he said. “It got a little snug near the end, but you have to do it so you can actually stick against the pole. It was only uncomfortable for a minute and with what Chris is going through, I’m sure she has a lot more uncomfortable days than I have.”