School auctions teddy bears for scholarships

While teddy bears have long been known for their power to comfort a sad child or chase nightmares away, they now are being used to send students to college.

Staff members at Seeliger Elementary School are auctioning 25 stuffed bears in handmade attire to fund two $1,000 scholarships for Carson High School seniors.

"It's just fun," said Connie Clark, second-grade teacher. "This is a very creative staff and they have lots of fun doing it."

The Al Seeliger Memorial Scholarship is given to graduating seniors who attended Seeliger Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade.

A similar fund-raising teddy bear auction was held at the school two years ago.

Participating staff members dress up the bears in costumes ranging from ballerinas to fishermen.

Two years ago, Clark made a "Beary Potter." This year, she made "Bea Bear."

"She's a reading bear," Clark said. "To see the things the teachers come up with is so funny. Sometimes you can look at the bear and guess which teacher made them."

Fifth-grader Amen Preet, 10, said she liked all of the bears but her favorite was one dressed in a heart-spattered, red satin gown with a fur-lined cape.

"She looks cute in that dress," Amen said. "I like the basket of flowers she's holding."

Jose Medrano, 10, favored the bear in a black beret and holding a pallet of colorful paints.

"I want to be an artist, too," Jose said.

One bear, Wanabli, had a placard explaining its significance.

"'Wanabli' means 'Eagle' in Lakota," the card read. It went on to explain that Lakota is an American Indian tribe out of South Dakota and that Wanabli was a great dancer.

An "S" for Seeliger was fashioned from real porcupine quills on Wanabli's chest.

"I pray we embrace our traditions and respect one another," the card read. "Wopila Tanka (big than you)."

The bears will be on display in the main foyer of the school until 3 p.m. Thursday when bidding is closed. The silent auction is open to the public. Bidding forms are available next to the display case.

TO HELP

To bid on a bear, stop by Seeliger Elementary School at 2800 S. Saliman Road before 3 p.m. Thursday.