Harrison Park Elementary School held its 18th annual ‘American Spirit Week’ in mid-February 2025. It was a week with a variety of patriotic activities.
The Penny Wars competition and Principal of the Day raised over $2,400 for the Wounded Warrior Project. The school also collected for its annual Food Drive, which benefits local food banks and the district's Backpacks to Go Program. Students dressed in red, white, and blue to earn tickets for an American Flag raffle.
These many spirited activities were started by beloved second-grade teacher Mr. Greg Keefer, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020. Organizers strive to keep his memory alive and give back to all the causes that were so important to him.
“My favorite part of this week is to hear everyone telling stories of Mr. Keefer,” commented Mrs. Lisa Tramuta, the event organizer. “Helping others is part of his legacy, and we hope to carry that on for many years. I think he’d be proud of Harrison Park.”
Camden Schwer from 3rd grade fills the 4th-grade jar with silver coins to stop them from having more pennies!
Tristan Casper from 5th grade fills the 4th grade jar with even more silver coins!
5th-graders Julia Gavrish, Violet Black, Caelyn Duddy, Ella Frye, Lucy Massarelli, Alyssa Rayman, Kendall Scavincky, and Kylie Diethorn show off their American spirt
4th-graders Avery Simmons, Aryahanna Cianciotti, Karissa Kraly, Lillian Safin, and Isabella George enjoyed ‘hat day’
2nd-graders Nolan Kauffman, Bea Burmeister, and Silas Fox show off their red, white, and blue pride
2nd-grader Malachi Krautz gets some help from Mrs. Lisa Tramuta to fill the penny jar
Students earning an American flag for spirit are Parker Finnegan (3rd-grade), Luke Lyons (4th-grade), Andy Safin (1st-grade), Aidan Simak (2nd-grade), Lucy Massarelli (5th-grade), and Jacob Antonucci (kindergarten)