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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Students and teachers at Leo Ussak Elementary School had a wild time raising funds for the Terry Fox Run in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Teacher Ryan Ryan is taken aback by how eager students are to tape him to the wall during fundraising celebrations for the Terry Fox Run at Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The fundraising campaign climaxed at a general assembly at the school that was as loud as a mini rock concert.

The highlight of the event saw teachers Ryan Ryan get taped to a gym wall, George Jefferies painted in women's makeup and Sarah Payne wrapped like a mummy, much to the crowd's delight.

Ryan said the information package from the Terry Fox Foundation contains quite a few suggestions on how to get kids enthusiastic about raising money.

He said one that caught their eye was being willing to do something a little silly for different monetary values.

"A group of us met to discuss what we might do and, what everyone saw happen in the gym, spawned from that," said Ryan.

"We surpassed our overall goal of $1,200 by raising a total of $1,306.11."

Jefferies said he was always involved in a number of fundraisers in his home province of Newfoundland.

He said he didn't mind getting painted in makeup and the kids seemed to love it.

"It makes school life more interesting for the kids, and it helped raise more money for a worthy cause," said Jefferies.

"I'm willing to do things like that to raise funds for a good cause anytime.

"It's all in good fun."

Ryan said he was a little taken aback by the noise level at the assembly.

He said he expected the kids to be excited, but he didn't quite expect that much enthusiasm.

"The way they reacted was really appreciated.

"It was great to see the kids so excited about something."

Jefferies said being in his fifth year in Rankin, he wasn't surprised by the noise.

He agrees with Ryan that the main thing was seeing the kids so excited.

"I didn't feel shy or embarrassed by anything, but, then again, I wasn't wearing my glasses, so I couldn't see what was going on.

"There's excellent spirit at the school right now, which adds to everything.

"We need more special events, and the teachers have been trying to up school spirit through after-school activities and other things.

"I'd have to say what everyone saw at the gym was indicative of the school spirit we have right now."

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