Mariners students run for funds

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- Red-cheeked and panting, hundreds of little tykes puffed

their way around makeshift tracks Friday morning at Mariners Elementary

School to ensure that they will have art and gym classes next year.

It was the annual Mariners Jog-a-thon, which funds nearly all the PTA

programs at the school, including physical education, art, after-school

study sessions and reading programs, said Garnet Thompson, who co-chaired

the event.

The mother of five, along with co-chair Kay Davis, have been putting

together the Olympics-themed event since January, while students were

practicing their running and learning about the country they were to

represent.

Last year, the event raised about $40,000 -- a figure Thompson hopes to

nearly double. The goal this year, she said, is $75,000. Before students

even tied their running shoes Friday morning, sponsors had already

contributed $13,000, she added.

The event boasts more than 30 corporate and family sponsors, with more

jumping on board each year.

The rest of the money will come from students, who went door to door last

week getting pledges for each lap they could run.

“I went door to door and got $1 per lap,” said 8-year-old Natalie

Wooters.

As for how many laps she’d go, Natalie said, “I’m thinking 49.”

In keeping with the Olympic theme -- chosen in honor of this year’s

summer games in Sydney, Australia -- there were a few special surprises

for children.

First, the ceremony kicked off with a genuine Olympic torch on loan from

Pat McCormick, a diver who earned a gold medal for the U.S.

Then Olympic swimming hopefuls Blaine Morgan and Aaron Peirsol, who will

be trying out for the U.S. team in August, showed up to cheer on the

students.

Peirsol, a Newport Harbor High School student, is among the fastest

16-year-old swimmers in the world. He graduated from Mariners several

years ago.

Students took part in other activities, such as running hurdles, a

softball toss and a 25-yard dash, but they remained excited about the

jog-a-thon -- and the prizes.

Some of the top prizes for the students who brought in the most money

were three Razors -- the popular motorized scooters -- and two

snowboards.

“I like the prizes and the running,” said 9-year-old Kailey Grant. “I

want a snowboard. I’m going to take lessons so that we can go up to Big

Bear.”

FYI

Kaiser Elementary School in Costa Mesa will hold its jog-a-thon Friday to

raise money for school programs. Kaiser students will be out in their

neighborhoods looking for pledges during the upcoming week.