Event organizers are already counting money raised from Tuesday’s Turkey Trot, the event that pulled in hundreds of students eager to eat a turkey lunch benefiting the Ecumenical Hunger Program.
For just four dollars, or three canned food or emergency care items, students, parents, and staff got a plate of turkey, salad, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy, with baked potatoes for vegetarians. A slice of pie also came along with the meal, while drinks were an additional dollar.
Many students were pleased with the quality of the food.
"[The stuffing is] good," freshman Michael Rizza said. "I like the stuffing."
The turkey trot did more than provide food to the students.
"It brings the school together," sophomore Lexi Medina said.
This was the first year Paly has hosted the Turkey Trot. Camille Townsend, a Paly parent and school board member, thought that Paly should have its own Turkey Trot after going to Gunn High School’s event last year.
"It [the Turkey Trot] is a great event for students," Townsend said. "And it’s a great thing to bring here as a parent."
Townsend said she duplicated almost everything from the Gunn Turkey Trot, although Paly incorporated its Jazz Band and Art Class into the event, unlike Gunn’s Turkey Trot. While the feast was in full swing, the Jazz Band played music to the audience’s taste. To bring more seasonal spirit to the Turkey Trot, the art class made multiple hay sculptures, including one of a couch, dog, and two people sitting on the couch.
"[The Turkey Trot] has been a larger community event because we can use student activities," Townsend said.
Parents donated 40 turkeys and 80 pies, and three moms alone baked and wrapped 120 potatoes, according to Townsend. Parents also helped by delivering the hay used by the art class to make the sculptures.
The Turkey Trot was a welcome change of pace for students.
"It’s nice to have something different once and a while," senior Martin Strauss said. "I usually have to get food from Spot Pizza."
Overall, event organizers behind Paly’s first ever Turkey Trot said the event was successful.
"It was as good as I expected it [to be]," Townsend said.
Judging from the reactions of the students, many enjoyed the Turkey Trot and want it to become an annual event.
"It’s a blast," sophomore Adam Herzog said. "I hope they do it next year."