Bring on the chicken: JHE Jog-A-Thon a huge success

RIO RANCHO— Students and staff at Joe Harris Elementary School participated in their second annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser Sept. 20.

"Our PTO is amazing. They are the driving force for raising money for the kids because everything they raise goes directly to our school. Maya [Oliver] and Sha Marie [Martinez] of the PTO have been instrumental in getting sponsors, getting prizes for the kids and families," Assistant Principal Christine Conlin said.

Through pledges and donations, the school was able to raise $60,724 which meant that some people had to kiss chickens.

Students were told that if they surpassed $50,000, Principal Trent Heffner and Conlin would kiss a chicken.

"I was running with the kids, and they were saying 'Mr. Heffner, you're going to kiss a chicken!' I didn't realize it was that important to them. So, if that's motivation for them, we'll take it," Heffner said.

In a Jog-A-Thon, students jog or walk a certain number of laps in exchange for a donation per lap.

Joe Harris students and staff were also incentivized with prizes based on the amount of donations they brought in. Prizes included Southwest Airlines tickets, Denver Broncos tickets, Dion's gift cards and more.

"We had over $15,000 in cash sponsorships and prize donations, so it's been a really successful fundraiser," PTO member Maya Oliver said.

All of the money brought in will support Joe Harris students for things such as buses for upcoming field trips, their annual talent show, the "One School, One Book" event, recess equipment, and kindergarten and fifth-grade promotion. Joe Harris also plans to purchase 30 tech podiums for teachers to improve classroom instruction.

"The tech ports were built in the back of the classroom, so creating these tech podiums will bring all of our teachers to the front of the classroom," Oliver said.

Heffner and Conlin plan to kiss chickens at the school's next assembly, which they call "Retriever Roundups."