SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 7 BRACELETS Continued from Page 1 ee and a half hours after the length of the brace- was announced, the official count was in. s Kronenwetter counted off the last 10 bracelets and Bolton echoed the numbers, anticipation mount- ed. When the last bracelet was counted, Ross Elemen- tary students had made 7,507 friendship bracelets. The crowd erupted. But is it enough to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records? Time will tell. The current record for the longest friendship brace- let belongs to Owingsville Elementary School in Ken- tucky. Students there tied 3,799 friendship bracelets that measured more than 810 feet in 2011. Officials at Guinness reported to James that a group of people in India had submitted evidence that it had tied together 4,123 friendship bracelets but that amount has not yet been ratified. ‘Even if the India count stands, the Ross students tied 3,384 more bracelets. As long as the documen- tation holds up, students at the Sweet Valley school will have their names recorded in history. The project started last October when James heard a radio promotion attempting to gather together enough people to put on sunblock at the same time in an attempt to make it into the Guinness Book. That attempt failed but it was all James needed to rally his troops. After meeting with Vanderhook and several other teachers, the plan was in place and students started tying. Every one of the school’s nearly 300 students made at least one bracelet. Sporting t-shirts that read, “Ross Elementary School Tied Together in Friendship,” students en- joyed a Carnival Day on the grounds of the school on May 1 while Kronenwetter and Bolton counted while teacher Jen Welby video recorded and PTO volunteer Cheri Derhammer photographed the counting, both requirements of Guinness. The message of the project was much greater than just brightly-colored string and tying as students bonded together in their record-breaking attempt. Savannah Purdy was the leader of bracelet tying in her family, according to her mother, Jennifer, who said the sixth-grader encouraged third-grader Chase Marie and kindergarten student Tristan to become involved in bracelet tying. “They’ve been excited about it all year long,” Jen- nifer said. Cheri Horan said her daughter, Samantha, a first- grader, “is excited about being part of a world record.” Sixth-grader Jessica Evans said, “Every little bit AIMEE DILGER PHOTOS /THE TIMES LEADER ABOVE: Kindergar- ten students Nikayla Rynkiewicz, Ella Wilson and Nichols Joseph of Ross Elementary clap as the chain of brace- lets passes by them. AT LEFT: Savannah Purdy looks to the other side of the brace- let chain while helping measure it. counts” while her friend, Rebecca Bonomo, another sixth-grader, pointed out the anti-bullying message the project centered around. Third-grader Lilian Raczkowski tied about 200 bracelets, 100 of them during recess while Sarayah Smith, another third-grader, said the 100 bracelets she tied represent friendship. Superintendent Jim McGovern sported a t-shirt at the event and third-grader Jeanna Pritchard reflected on the fun she had tying bracelets. As students, teachers and parents danced to the “Hokey Pokey” and the “Macarena” while measuring was taking place, fourth-gradera Spencer Judge and Christian Seprish talked about how the project made them want to stop bullying. RECORD Continued from Page 1 good humor, as well. A newspaper editor needed to officially witness the attempt. That’s where I came in - and was honored to do so. Principal James asked me to be at the school at 8:30 in the morning. I'm an early riser, so that wasn’t a problem. What he didn’t tell me was that I needed to witness the counting of every single bracelet - all 7,507 of them - which took nearly four hours, making for a very long day and an experience I wouldn’t trade for all the friendship bracelets in the world. Besides, it was a beauti- ful day and I got a great start on my summer tan. The measuring and the counting needed to be recorded, both with still photography and videography. Teacher Jen Welby held a video camera during the entire count- ing process while PTO volunteer Cheri Derhammer photographed the surveyors counting the bracelets and the numbers recorded on their surveying wheel. Bill, Jess and I had to fill out three- page documents about our involve- ment when the entire process was completed. All of that documentation, includ- ing the bracelets, will be sent to Guinness and the wait begins. The record doesn’t stand until officials at Guinness say it does. Here’s what I learned as an official Guinness Book of World Records witness: * The Ross Elementary School students not only know how to have a good time but are incredibly well behaved. * Professional land surveyors are not always as serious as they appear to be when they’re looking through the lens of that odd-looking equip- ment they use. * The faculty and staff at Ross Elementary School are committed to teaching and guiding the youngsters in their care. * Donny James is still passionate about being the principal at Ross Elementary after nine years and mo- tivates the faculty and staff in their commitment. * Red’s makes a mean tuna hoagie. Thanks, Principal James, for that. * All of us who participated in the attempt to become world record holders are now forever bonded. And we're all still trying to get those numbers out of our heads. - Dotty Martin Pinnacle The Music Box Players Rehabilitation h\ Kevin M. Barno, MPT ¢ K. Bridget Barno, PT Sharon Marranca, MPT ¢ Hal Glatz, MPT Maria Hall, PTA « William Montross, MPT Feel Better, Hit It Further and Win Your Match! e Treatment for all golf injuries or any injury that is affecting your game e Golf specific flexibility and strengthening programs available The Marvelous Misadventures of Little Rehabilitation Assoxiates, PU Red Riding Hood A Musical For Children May 17, 18, 19 Schoolday Performances May 15 & 17 Admission Includes a McDonald’s Fun Meal $2.00 discount per person with this ad. The Music Box Dinner Playhouse 196 Hughes Street Swoyersville, PA 18704 283-2195 or 800-698-PLAY % CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST my Dixon, left, uses an Ipad to input her information in a science ss at the Dallas Middle School. The information is then projected on the screen with pictures and video segments for her presentation. [PADS Continued from Page 7 Expert physical therapy close to home 520 Third Ave. 201 S. Main St. Kingston ¢ 714-6460 Pittston * 602-1933 www.pinnaclerehabilitation.net The Dallas Foundation is run by a nine-member board of vol- unteers which decides how the donated money is used. Teach- ers are welcome to make appli- cations for projects on the foun- dation’s website. Barbose is very enthusiastic about the learning atmosphere in his classroom. Of the iPad program, he said, “It’s high in- terest. It’s motivational. It’s eas- ily managed.” Barbose began his career in : Florida but his wish was always to come back home which he did nine years ago. “This is my district,” he said. “I'm teaching in my ninth-grade English teach- | pas classroom.” j arbose admitted that using ads in middle school is cutting edge. There aren’t many apps i created for that age group. “You have to be creative,” he said. Next up for his sixth-graders’ study of physics is the construc- tion of a virtual roller coaster. Newton would surely be im- pressed. BACK MOUNTAIN BOWL Sicilian Pizza » Wings Hoagies and More! Eat in and Take Out! VEER EL EER YAR 171 Investment and insurance products: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value, Mustang is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company, used with permission, First Liberty Bank & Trust is a division of Community Bank, NLA.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers