Student shares pie-throwing prize with a friend

by Mike Knaak

editor@thenewsleaders.com

A Pine Meadow Elementary School fourth-grader’s decision to pass on a chance to throw a pie in the principal’s face surprised teachers and students.

Nathan Boesen raised the most money in the Parent Teacher Organization’s annual fundraiser. When the time came for him to collect on his prize, he decided to offer it to a classmate.

Nathan won the award when he was a first-grader and figured another student should have the chance to fling a pie at Principal Sara Nelson.

Nathan chose fourth-grader Landon Fish, a friend who had shown him kindness.

“It was really unexpected and I was excited,” Landon said. “We’ve been in the same class since first grade.”

Landon wanted Nathan to be part of the event too, so Nathan filled the pie tin with whipped cream.

“There were lots of tears from the staff,” said Tiffany Heathcote, a second-grade teacher who helped organize the event. “For a fourth-grader to do that, that is pretty outstanding.”

The pie throwing on Sept. 20 ended a week of homecoming events at the school, which serves 688 students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Students raised $26,000 for the PTO to fund activities such as field trips and buy extra classroom materials. For safety reasons, students don’t go door-to-door but ask for donations from friends and families.

Nathan is the son of Staci and Christopher Boesen. Landon is the son of Ashley Joslin and Steven Fish.

The Friday assembly to announce the top fundraisers has been a school tradition since 2012. Nelson wasn’t the only person plastered with a pie. A student from each grade who was selected by random drawing also won a chance to throw a pie at a staff member of their choice.

It’s something the kids look forward to every year,” Heathcote said. “It builds community and reminds kids that they matter, that they are important, and if we can work together, we can achieve great things. By raising money, we’re helping everyone succeed at Pine Meadow.”