Fremont special-education students get hoppy visitor

Move over leprechauns, here comes Peter Cottontail. The Easter Bunny made a preliminary stop Wednesday afternoon at Fremont Elementary School.

He gave toy cars to the boys and stuffed bunnies to the girls.

"I'm going to name him Happy Bunny because he's the same color as my clothes," Emily Barbera, 12, squeezing the plush rabbit close to her chest.

Every year, for Easter and Christmas, representatives from the Carson-area SBC Telecom Pioneers visit special-education classrooms at Fremont and Seeliger elementary schools with gifts for the kids and a visit from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

"It's the highlight of the year," said teacher David Lowe. "They all still believe."

The children remain in the same classroom for two to three years, so they recognize the volunteers now.

"They've become familiar friends at this point," Lowe said.

The pioneers consider the children their friends as well.

"It is as much entertainment for us as it is for the children," said Lee Radtke, telecom pioneer. "This is one of the funnest things we do. It's almost like we've adopted them and they've adopted us."

For some reason, however, Tom Ferrara always misses the show - wink, wink.

"I missed the Easter Bunny again," he said, as he walked back into the classroom, coincidentally moments after the festive rabbit left. "It's the same with Santa Claus. Every time I come in, he's gone.

"Really, I've got the best seat in the house."

The visit came early this year because Fremont Elementary School is a year-round school and will be on break in April.

Lowe learned a valuable lesson this year, as well.

"I made the mistake of telling the kids about a month ago that the Easter Bunny was coming," he said. "So for a month it's been, 'Is he coming today? How about today?' every day."

But it was worth the wait.

"I got a car," said Ivan Rosas-Medina, 8. "I like playing with it. It's fun."

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.