Gone snowing

Lolita Harper

It’s probably a good thing the students of Whittier Elementary

School were not in the mountains because the fervor and pitch of

their giggles and shrieks at Tuesday’s snow day could have caused an

avalanche.

Nuzzled in the far corner of the school’s playground were 20 tons

of snow with hundreds of euphoric youngsters reveling in it.

Freckle-faced Farah Fox was among those who was the most excited.

She spoke in rapid narrative about her adventures in the snow,

pausing only briefly to catch her breath and dodge a nearby sled.

“I like the snow, and I’ve been to the mountains,” said the

6-year-old, wearing her fashionable “froggy boots.” “And I’m going to

the mountains next week and I can’t wait. I’ve been to two mountains

and I get to go again.”

The tons of frosty fun were meant to provide fun for kids like

Farah, but were specially brought in for those who have never seen

the snow, officials said. The elementary school funded the snow day

for the third year in a row with grant money.

Select classes visited the snow hill in 30-minute intervals from 8

a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Captivated parents and volunteers helped

direct the toboggan line, gave sleigh rides and shoveled the snow to

help make the day a success.

Ricardo Juarez, 6, lost his balance on the frozen turf and fell

flat on his bottom. He laughed it off, picked up a handful of snow

and smashed it over his head. His almond eyes grew wide as the icy

slush dripped down his face.

His silly act seemed like a great idea to Rodrigo Aldaco, who

followed suit. He smiled a huge grin, with one front tooth where four

should be, and reached down for another fistful.

The trend spread like wildfire -- despite the freezing medium --

and soon a handful of boys were smashing ice on their heads.

Ricardo’s mother, Dulce Juarez, stood on the perimeter of the

snow, shaking her head and laughing.

“He has so much fun in the snow,” said Juarez, who brought a blue

toboggan for the entire class to share.

The Juarez family takes seasonal trips to the mountains and

Ricardo wore his winter snow boots and mittens to the snow day. The

event was great for the children who don’t have the opportunity to

visit winter wonderlands, Juarez said.

Jeanette Gonzalez, also missing her front teeth, said she saw snow

for the first time at the school’s snow day last year. She formed a

snowball and displayed it proudly in her outstretched hand.

“See the way the snow sticks together,” she said. “This is my

second time [I’ve seen snow] at school, but I have never been to the

mountains.”

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

and may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by e-mail at

lolita.harper@latimes.com.