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CLEMMONS — Students showed their colors in the Morgan Elementary Fun Run that serves as an annual fundraiser for the school’s PTA.

The fabulous Friday race around the lake at the Village Point Greenway on Nov. 15 was capped off with a “color run” by the fifth graders who got to wear a keepsake shirt supplied by the PTA where they got splattered with colored corn starch on the way to the finish line.

“It washes out easily, so this year we also purchased fabric markers and let the students decorate their shirts prior to the event,” said Dawn Clouse, PTA president. “The run is sort of a rite of passage for our fifth graders.”

Another person commented that the event is something all the kids look forward to as being their pre-graduation of sorts. And it all goes to a good cause with the run helping to pay for things that support the school’s teachers, staff and students.

“Our primary goal this year was to upgrade the school sound system in the gym/cafeteria,” Clouse said. “In addition to that, we will be bringing reduced cost clubs to the school.”

Principal Lisa Davis said that more than $45,000 was raised during the fundraiser.

“Basically, the run is a celebration of the money raised and a way to bring our school together for the cause,” she said. “Our PTA is so generous. They give each staff member who joins the PTA $100. This helps curb some of the costs of enhancing a classroom or a space.  

“They also do a great job of giving out grants for certain educational ideas that our teachers may have. The teachers write it up, and the PTA reviews and approves it.”

The weather certainly cooperated as lots of parents, volunteers and vendors were on hand for the run, which was conducted by grades, helping with safety for all those crossing the street to the greenway.

“It was a beautiful day,” Davis said. “The music was blaring. The sun was shining. And there were smiles all around. The run was amazing.”

Davis shared she was most impressed with the sense of teamwork with administrators, teachers, staff and parents running with the children.

“We supported them by running alongside, encouraging them and rooting them on,” she said. “Our specialists were at the finish line. And running 0.6 miles is an accomplishment for many of our students. They deserved to be celebrated at the end with lots of happy teachers who were shouting their names, giving them high fives, finding them water, etc.”