A superhero cause; I.J. Holton students raise funds
Published 10:24 am Tuesday, November 1, 2016
- Fifth grader Riley Ferguson laughs as he tries to balance a stack of empty pizza boxes during the Ninja Turtle Stack Race, part of the Superhero activities at I.J. Holton Intermediate School in Austin on Monday. Photos by Deb Nicklay/deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
With the theme of superheroes, fifth and sixth graders at I.J. Holton Intermediate School spent Halloween Monday helping others, raising funds and having a rollicking good time while they were doing it all.
In the morning, the 700 or so students were treated to an Austin Symphony concert at the high school — the symphony also played a “Superhero” piece. The event was followed by a walk-a-thon during which the students picked up litter in five different neighborhoods near the school. The event was also geared not only toward community service but working as a team.

Sixth graders pit muscle against muscle as different classrooms competed for a Superhero title during the tug-of-war.
In the afternoon, the kids — many dressed as Supergirl, Batman, Wonder Woman and others — participated in relays such as Ninja Turtle Stack Race, where kids had to run in relay fashion with a stack of empty pizza boxes that got taller as the relay progressed. Among other games and relays, all-out superhero brawn was tested in the tug-of-war, held outside.
Finally, the students ended the day by working on superhero banners that will be installed along cafeteria walls in upcoming days.
And the event served as a fundraiser: The kids raised $6,000 that will be used for field trips and special projects.
“We are thrilled,” said Principal Angi McAndrews.

Fifth grader Joseph Ramos, center, gets by with a little help from his friends as they try to keep pizza boxes vertical.