"Smarter"

Last night we had our "Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" fundraiser for the Give Every Child a Chance after school tutoring program that will begin in January. We had four adult contestants (including yours truly)who were assisted by several fifth grade students in Mr. Dunlap's class. I was contestant number 2, and watch as our first contestant fought valiantly, but had to finally succumb and admit that he was not smarter than a fifth grader. When my turn came up I was feeling pretty confident as I had been able to answer all the first contestant's questions. My swagger was quickly subdued when my first question, "Who founded the American Red Cross?" threw my confidence. It was a multiple choice question, and I quickly eliminated Mary Lincoln, which left Clara Barton, and Susan B. Anthony. I knew Susan B. Anthony was in the woman's suffrage movement, but wasn't sure if she was also involved in the Red Cross. I suspected Clara was the correct answer, but had to use one of my lifelines to make sure I didn't blow up on the first answer. The audience confirmed my hunch, and I was on my way. It wasn't a flawless run (I confused pistil and stamen in a flower), but I am happy to report that I can proudly look the fifth graders in the eye, and tell them that I am smarter than them!

We also had our Christmas tree auction for the trees that the students decorated. the trees looked great, and they all sold and are now happily sitting in living rooms throughout our community. It was a fun night, and I look forward to getting this tutoring program rolling to help our students.