TZ student council helps raise funds for museum

Putnam County Executive Director Tanis Monday accepts a check from the Tzouanakis Student Council representatives Parker Black and Austyn Pingleton and third grade teacher Julie Stevens. The student council raises money every year and gives it to a charitable cause. This year students held a walkathon and raised $1,100 that they decided to give to the Putnam County Museum.

GREENCASTLE -- Student council members at Tzouanakis Intermediate School understand that it takes a lot of hard work to raise money. The group recently presented the Putnam County Museum with a check for $1,100 that was raised with a school-wide walkathon.

"Students paid $3 to walk continuously for 40 minutes during the school's walkathon," explained third grade teacher and Student Council Advisor Julie Stevens.

The walkathon is the finale to the school's yearlong program to teach kids the value of exercise and good health.

"They walk at least one lap every day," explained Stevens. "When they hit 25 miles they get a lanyard and at 50 miles they get a water bottle. They really work hard and are very proud of what they can do."

Tamara Walker is the student council advisor and set up the program. The highlight of their year is the field trip in May where students visit various Putnam County landmarks.

On Friday, after spending about an hour and half at the museum, groups head to downtown Greencastle to look at the Heritage Wall, have lunch in Robe Ann Park and will spend some time at DePauw University with Dave Roberts doing some science projects.

"Some of the DePauw students stay a few extra days after their school is out just to help him with the projects. It's really a good day," said Stevens.