Spirit Week Launches with Ton of Coins

 

The morning commenced with Ironman, Superman, Aquaman, a few birthday cakes, a Ghostbuster, pirates, skeletons, storm troopers, Princess Leia, a sumo wrestler, several Russell Wilsons and more heading across campus to the Upper School to empty their cups and bags of coins into a golden clawfoot bathtub temporarily placed in Pitt Hall. Later in the day, Middle and Upper School students also deposited their coins in the tub, class by class.

 

This annual Ton of Coins all-school coin drive was started in 1990 by now-retired English teacher and Interact Club advisor Lewis “Bubba” Lawson and has become a favorite tradition.

 

Collegiate senior Virginia Syer remembers dressing as Cleopatra when she was in Kindergarten, being cheered on by Middle and Upper School students and pouring her change into the tub.

 

“It just may seem like a bunch of coins but it’s important because everyone is coming and doing their part to help someone else,” she said.

 

And while the final tally won’t be counted until later today, by 9 a.m. the clawfoot tub was filling fast with each cup’s coinage. Since its inception, the coin drive has raised more than $240,000.

 

 

For the rest of Spirit Week leading up to Homecoming on Saturday, students in each division can dress in the following garb:

Tuesday*: USA Day (red, white and blue)

Wednesday*: Skittles Day (head to toe in one color)

Thursday: Twin Day (Upper School only; student holiday/parent conferences for Lower and Middle School)

Friday: Green and Gold Day

 

*Middle School Council Fundraiser for HomeAgain, a Richmond-area nonprofit that helps families and individuals experiencing homelessness find and maintain a home again. There will be a $1 charge for both Tuesday and Wednesday dress up days.

For more photos visit the PawNet.