Washington's Dynamic Duo Mobilizes for Good Cause
Ashley Visser and Isabella DiBenedetto are not in the habit of calling attention to themselves. The two Washington Primary School fourth graders are generally reserved and always respectful, but when they decide to mobilize for a good cause, the youngsters can be very forceful.
"Ashley and Isabella decided they wanted to help raise money for the Victoria Gaines memorial playground early in the school year," said Diane Regan, the dynamic duo's teacher. "Together they came up with the idea of collecting water bottles and soda bottles to return for the deposit money. They asked they whole school for help."
Ms. Gaines would have been a third grader at Washington this year. The youngster perished in a boating catastrophe last summer that also claimed the lives of two other children. The crowded boat capsized en route to Huntington from Oyster Bay following a July 4 fireworks show. A sparkling new playground was dedicated in Ms. Gaines' memory during a poignant May ceremony.
Ms. Visser and Ms. DiBenedetto rallied the school to their initiative. Second grade teacher Patricia Maltempo's class even collected bottles in the community and brought them to school.
"Every Friday without fail, the girls would use their recess to collect the bottles from each class," Mrs. Regan said. "With the help of Ashley's mom, they returned the bottles on the weekend and brought the money to school to help with the building of the playground."
As the school year draws to a close, Ms. Visser and Ms. DiBenedetto are looking forward to moving on to the fifth grade. Washington Primary School teachers and support staff members are excited for the pair, but sorry to see them leave.
A portion of the funds raised also went to offset the cost of some field trips at Washington School. As the school year draws to a close, Ms. Visser and Ms. DiBenedetto are looking forward to moving on to the fifth grade. Washington Primary School teachers and support staff members are excited for the pair, but sorry to see them leave.
"Ashley and Isabella are wonderful young ladies who have shined in our school," Principal Marsha Neville said.