story and photos
by Jessica Blomquist

Morgan County Primary School students create life-size replicas of their homeroom teachers

Story by Jessica Blomquist
Photos by Angelina Bellebuono

By Tara DeRock Mahoney
Senior Staff Writer

Second-grader Madelyn Langford held the tiny yellow satin star between her thumb and forefinger.
“Okay, now make a wish,” said Tom Gwinn of Southern School Services, who was manning the stuffing machine.
Madelyn paused, eyes closed, then tucked the wishing star firmly inside her new toy pony. Gwinn zipped the animal up with a small metal tool, then put pony, an outfit, and “adoption papers” inside a specially-designed carrying box and handed it all back to Madelyn, who hugged the box to her chest as the next child stepped up to the Animaland stuffing machine.
In its newest fundraiser, Morgan County Primary School sold a whopping 280 stuff-them-yourself animals like Madelyn's pony. The program, similar to the wildly popular “Build-A-Bear Workshop” concept found at malls across America, allows students to purchase and then create their own stuffed animal, complete with a wishing star and adoption papers. The school receives six dollars of each $20 animal sold, and kids could pick from 20 different stuffed figures, ranging from eagles and pink poodles to gorillas and lions.
The project was so popular, in fact, that “Animaland” had to come to MCPS on two separate days—last Thursday and Friday—to fill all the orders.
“It's unbelievable,” said Gwinn. “We've had great participation at this school.”
The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase a software package called “Headsprout,” according to principal Dr. Betsy Short. All grades at MCPS will be able to take advantage of the levelized software that helps improve reading skills.

by Kathryn Purcell
photos by Angelina Bellebuono