Cow heeds nature's call for a good cause

Students at Fremont Elementary School practically had a cow Friday when Bessie and her 2-week-old calf came to visit.

"We love her," said Kayleigh Thicke, 7. "She's kind of big, and she's really friendly."

Erin Lehman, the school's volunteer coordinator, organized the Cow Plop fundraiser, which turned out to be a cash cow, raking in $7,000.

Tickets were sold for $5 apiece, with $500 going to the person whose ticket coincided with the first "plop."

The second won $200, and a random draw awarded $100.

Students spent the week, dubbed Cowabunga Week, learning about farm animals and agriculture.

A fifth-grade 4-Her brought pigs to the school Wednesday.

"We wanted the kids to have fun and help our school raise money," Lehman said. "At the same time, we wanted it to be very educational. We realize that not a lot of kids get the chance to touch a pig or be near a cow."

A mooing contest was held Thursday, with the winners from each class advancing to a competition in the lunchroom judged by the custodians. Winners from there bawled over the intercom to determine the grand-prize winner.

Dorian Kilfan, 7, won the contest in Judy Holloway and Dawn Hutson's first-grade class.

"I heard all my friends moo, and I tried it," he said. "I mooed good. Then I won."

Winners received "moovie" passes to the Fandango Theater.

Rachel Andersen, a 13-year-old student at Bethlehem Lutheran School, brought her 4-H heifer, Bessie, and 2-week-old calf for the fundraiser.

Her father, Mickey Andersen, is a third-generation Carson City rancher, running cattle on Silver Saddle and Buzzy's ranches and in Washoe Valley.

Having been raise around livestock, Rachel said, she was happy to share her experience with the children.

"It's really fun to see them get to pet the animal," she said. "It's a different way of life, something they never really get to see."

Rachel had not yet named Bessie's calf, and opened it up to the students to choose a moniker.

Yisel Gutierrez, 6, wanted to name the baby Rosa, after her aunt. Dorian chose Cupcake, because "it's so cute."

The final pick? Mary Ploppins.