Whiz Kids: Mrs. Wursthorn’s And Mrs. Arico’s Classes At Quaker Hill

Last week, Diana Wursthorn’s fourth-grade class and Michelle Arico’s second-grade class at Quaker Hill Elementary School raised $2,665 for a . Here is how, in the words of the students:

“We did a raffle basket,” Victoria Muenzner said. “You would buy a ticket and put it in the (scrambler) and scramble them all around.”

“We had to go around and sell the tickets,” Michael Sergeant said. “I raised $35 selling 35 tickets.”

“We were helping the animals getting a new home,” Olivia Miranda said. “We were all excited to help the animals.”
“I liked helping the animals,” Sara Johnson said.

“But I really liked selling the tickets.”
“To help sell tickets, (both classes) made commercials,” Jordan Bordner said. “We had one that was like a play and the other was like one where you got all the information.”

“I liked making the commercials because it was really fun,” Cassidy Susi said. “It helped kids know about it, and sell the tickets. After we made them we sold a lot of tickets.”

“We raised a lot of money overall, and it felt really good,” Amanda Cullen said. “It felt like we accomplished so much, and (Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchniuk) was so surprised when we gave him the check.”

“It's really cool to help out for a new animal shelter,” Elijah Harris. “He really needs it.”

“I didn’t really see the (current animal control shelter),” Aiden Hanson said. “But it looked really small and it needed work.”

“I think it needs a lot of work,” Melanna Santiago said. “It’s small.”

“I think we should get a new animal shelter because the other one is small, and smells kinda bad and it has holes in the roof,” Terry Royce said. “They really need it.”

“I think they should get a bigger place,” Natalie Macculloch said. “The animals need a nice place to live.”

Yuchniuk, when presented the check (the sum was kept secret), nearly cried. The gesture was a good sign for the future, he said.

“It must be apparent to everyone that the town supports this endeavor. If grade-school children can do this much to help out, imagine what we could accomplish if everyone put this much effort into this project,” Yuchniuk said. “I anticipate great things in the future for shelter animals in Waterford and East Lyme.”