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Schools

Whiz Kids: These Students Know How to Pay It Forward

While most kids can't wait to go home after school, one group of Saucon Valley Elementary School students remained behind to create some amazing artwork and help raise money for their school.

Upon completing a mosaic project for the year that was inspired by the book "The Great Kapok Tree," seven  students wanted to give back to the foundation that made the activity possible. Along with their art teacher Jackie Roumeliatis, fourth grade students Antoine Neveu, Brianna Lee, Chris Knauss, Jenna Skillinge, Emily Ackerman, Cloe Trachtenberg and Mia Lloyd stayed after school to design and work on companion pieces to the large rainforest mural that now hangs in their school's lobby.

The creation of the mural was made possible by a grant from the Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation (SVFEI) that brought Banana Factory resident artist Kim Hogan to the school. Each week Hogan worked with fourth grade students to bring the mosaic mural to life. 

Last year the students created a Starry Night scene inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting. This year, they created a colorful jungle scene related to the book "The Great Kapok Tree."

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Having enjoyed working on the larger mural so much, the students decided to offer their time to create smaller companion pieces that could be auctioned off at the foundation's Parent Prom--a fundraiser held at --March 4. The prom itself is held yearly to raise money for the SVFEI, and the students' artistic contributions helped make this year's event even more of a success for the foundation. 

Roumeliotis and the students spent up to two hours a day working on the pieces. Students themselves designed all of the pieces and cut each piece of glass by hand. Brianna Lee and Emily Ackerman explained how they had to learn how to cut the glass with the tools provided and be careful not to cut themselves, before Lee demonstrated the process.

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Foundation trustee member Gwen Singer said she was touched by the generosity of the students.

"I thought it was a wonderfully selfless act to put so much effort into the project, and then offer their creations to raise money to continue the work of the foundation," Singer said.

The money raised by the silent auctioning of the pieces at the Parent Prom will benefit all students in Saucon Valley schools, she added. 

Each mosaic was grouted by Roumeliotis and framed by the district's maintenance supervisor, who also volunteered his time for this project, making it a true group effort by all for the good of the school and a shining example of paying it forward.

The market value of each piece at auction was estimated to be $125 so be sure to check back for an update about the amount these amazing students raised for the foundation.

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