Spring Hill Elementary has its first Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A to raise money and provide kids with an opportunity to socialize.
By MATHEW WASSERMAN
Published September 1, 2005
SPRING HILL - If you happened to be driving by the Chick-fil-A in Spring Hill on a recent Wednesday night and saw a big upright cow arm wrestling a 6-foot panther, it wasn't your imagination.
Spring Hill Elementary School was just hosting its first Spirit Night, which is a fundraiser combined with a social night of school spirit.
"It's fun," fifth-grader Alex Franklin said. "You actually get to see your friends without being in school."
Spring Hill Elementary's Spirit Night is organized by Karen Mancuso, who teaches a community services class at the school.
"I tie in the community services aspect," Mancuso said. "I teach character and manners in the class, and then they get to come here and show it off. They know to hold the door open for other people and things like that."
With the school year just starting, teachers need books, equipment and other tools for teaching. A percentage of the profits on all food bought at Chick-fil-A by students, parents or faculty members of Spring Hill Elementary during Spirit Night goes back to the school to pay for needed items.
"I think it's fantastic because it benefits the school," said Kris Mitten, whose husband is the operator of the Chick-fil-A. "It's a win-win situation for us because we get to help the community and the community also helps us."
Each month for the rest of the school year, Spring Hill Elementary will have a Chick-fil-A night with different activities planned.
"For next time, I'm trying to work it out to have the faculty and principal behind the counter serving the students," Mancuso said. "Each time it will be something new and more fun for the kids."
