Shark Expert a Big Catch for Sippican Fundraiser

Sixth grade events can be costly at Sippican School in Marion. The expenses associated with the annual events planned for this year’s 6thgrade class are anticipated to run an estimated $22,000. To offset the financial burden to parents, there’s a great amount of fundraising involved. For the first time in years, the Sippican 6thgrade class is hosting an alternate to the typical car wash or sponsored dinner night at a local restaurant, a fundraiser big enough to be held in the auditorium at Old Rochester Regional High School.

Behind the fundraising is the 6thGrade Parent Group, comprised of 20 parents and led by two co-chairs. Sippican kindergarten teacher Marti Medeiros and Marion School Committee Vice Chairman Kate Houdelette have taken on the co-chair responsibilities for 2018-2019. Always trying to come up with new fundraising options, the group recently met to brainstorm.

“People came with great ideas for fundraising activities on top of activities that are typically done each year,” said Medeiros.

However, one particular parent, Kim Skomal, had a new and promising proposal: have her husband hold an admission-for-entrance presentation. Smart idea, since he is a sought-after charismatic speaker, routinely drawing in large crowds. Her husband? Shark expert and Discovery Channel personality, Dr. Gregory Skomal.

Grateful and supportive, the 6thGrade Parent Group quickly welcomed the idea and then took it a step further by opening it to the Tri-Town community. The Skomals have since organized a speaking event with the intent to fill all 550 seats of the high school’s auditorium. Mrs. Skomal noted her appreciation for the alternate and more sizable venue.

“Thank you to ORR High School Principal Mike Devoll for letting us use the auditorium for our fundraising event,” Mrs. Skomal shared.

According to Medeiros, the students are also active participants in the fundraising.

“While the parents are volunteering to chaperone and lead different events, the 6th graders are called upon to help volunteer as well, whether selling candy at a dance, helping run small craft groups at a Kids Night Out event, or selling from the Charleston Wrap fundraising event,” Medeiros said.

Even with the amount of hard work and organization involved with the all the fundraising efforts, the students remain engaged with activities to look forward to.

“I think the dances are a lot of fun for them,” Houdelette added. “The shark talk will be fantastic.”

The fundraising allows for things such as yearbooks, an end of the year 6thgrade breakfast, t-shirts, and one of the most anticipated events of the year: Mountain Classroom when, in May, 6thgraders spend three nights in Gorham, New Hampshire, learning while in nature, as well as gaining environmental awareness. Hiking and team building activities are at the root.

Dr. Skomal is a busy man, balancing his position as a senior biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, his speaking engagements, his numerous appearances on Discovery’s Shark Week, along with his research and shark tagging for the Atlantic Shark Conservancy, but he remains a husband and father first.

“I’m doing this fundraiser because I am a parent of a 6thgrader who firmly believes that is it important to provide these students with as many opportunities as possible,” said Dr. Skomal. “I hope to make that happen.”

The drive may be different for this presentation, but nonetheless, it will be his fourth in the Tri-Town, as he’s spoken as part of several other events. Since moving to Marion in 2010, Dr. Skomal has been an engaged community member. He’s a Sippican Lands Trust board member and has also served as an assistant coach to more than one of his son’s baseball teams. And while he is an expert in the field, published author, television personality, and public speaker, to one 6th grader, he’s simply Dad.

“I think it’s cool that my dad is helping to raise money for my 6thgrade class trips. I hope my friends like his shark talk,” said Wilson Skomal.

Newcomers to the various 6thgrade activities, with Wilson being their eldest child (they also have a 3rdgrader, Eve), the Skomals want to experience as much as possible, and plan to volunteer as chaperones throughout the year.

With 30-plus years in the field and no signs of slowing down, Dr. Skomal is still driven by his endless curiosity in the fish he studies and his passion for breaking new ground. His reputable career, combined with the public’s growing shark fear and fascination, have the makings for not only a successful fundraiser, but also a fun and informative night. Honestly, how could it disappoint? This world-renowned scientist works up close and personal with sharks on a regular basis and they are becoming more and more prevalent in our nearby waters.

In addition to a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Skomal teases, “Never before seen videos and cool fun facts about white sharks.”

Whether you’re interested in supporting Sippican School’s 6thgrade fundraiser or want to hear this dynamic speaker talk about sharks, you can attend White Sharks in Our Backyardwith Dr. Gregory Skomal on Friday, November 9,from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Old Rochester Regional High School. Tickets will be available at the door, $20 per family, or $5 per person. Additionally, autographed books, The Shark Handbook, by Greg Skomal will be for sale for $20. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the 6thgrade class.

By Shawn Sweet

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