Cielo Azul gobbles its way through turkey Bingo

RIO RANCHO — “What happened to the turkey who ate too much corn?” The entire Cielo Azul Turkey Bingo group leaned in Nov. 15 as their host paused for effect. “He got an ear ache!”

The crowd chuckled and groaned at the corny joke.

That moment seemed to sum up the playful yet determined mood in the gym and cafeteria of the elementary school. Principal Alicia Banes was pleased with the turnout and the spirit people had for the event.

“There’s a good crowd out there,” she said while wearing a turkey hat.

Many students and teachers shared her enthusiasm and dressed up in turkey attire.

“It’s one of our biggest events. We’re trying to raise money for classroom supplies and improvements that we need in the classrooms,” Banes said.

She added that they had a lot of donations for the prizes. There were more than 70 baskets ready for the taking.

“I think it’s especially good for people that might not have family here or a lot of family. We’re their family,” she said.

The Mahana family certainly felt that way. High schooler Ally and 8-year-old Collin Mahana say turkey Bingo is fun because they get to hang out with friends and family.

“The prizes are really neat, too. There were a lot of choices,” Ally said.

A popular prize was the homemade salsa by one of the security guards. Other baskets had movie themes, Thanksgiving themes and other desirable treats.

For Collin, the best part was the goofiness of the event.

“The costumes make it silly. I liked when they asked the kids to do the chicken dance,” he said.

The yearly event has been put on since the school started accepting students when former principal Lavonna Archuleta began the tradition as a festive segway into the holiday season for the school.