SES raises funds to adopt dolphin

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Amy Finley, left, Spangdahlem Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association president, and Danielle Ancheta, third grade student and daughter of Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ancheta, pose for a photograph with Ancheta’s first-place dolphin article during the initial presentation of Delfina’s adoption certificate inside the SES cafeteria here May 25. Delfina is a wild bottlenose dolphin the school adopted for one year through the World Wildlife Fund with help from the SES PTSA. The WWF uses the donations to help protect and improve living conditions for wildlife species around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)

SES raises funds to adopt dolphin

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Amy Finley, left, Spangdahlem Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association president, presents a stuffed dolphin to Danielle Ancheta, third grade student and daughter of Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ancheta, and classmates in recognition of Ancheta’s first-place article during the initial presentation of Delfina’s adoption certificate inside the SES cafeteria here May 25. Delfina is a wild bottlenose dolphin the school adopted for one year through the World Wildlife Fund with help from the SES PTSA. The WWF uses the donations to help protect and improve living conditions for wildlife species around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)

SES raises funds to adopt dolphin

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Dolphin-shaped artwork, symbolizing donations, decorates the wall of the Spangdahlem Elementary School cafeteria here May 25. Students raised money from donations to adopt Delfina, a wild bottlenose dolphin, for one year through the World Wildlife Fund with help from the SES Parent Teacher Student Association. The WWF uses the donations to help protect and improve living conditions for wildlife species around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)

SES raises funds to adopt dolphin

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Spangdahlem Elementary School students view pictures of Delfina during their lunch time inside the SES cafeteria here May 25. Delfina is a wild bottlenose dolphin the school adopted for one year through the World Wildlife Fund with help from the SES Parent Teacher Student Association. The WWF uses the donations to help protect and improve living conditions for wildlife species around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis/Released)

SES raises funds to adopt dolphin

Published May 29, 2012
By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem Elementary School recognized its students' efforts to raise money to adopt a dolphin for one year from the World Wildlife Fund May 25 at the elementary school here.

The school adopted the bottlenose dolphin from Central America and named her Delfina, the German name for dolphin, to represent their host nation. They chose to adopt a dolphin to celebrate the school mascot and ignite school spirit and pride. The adoption is also an effort to teach students about the environment and give back to the community, said Amy Finley, SES Parent Teacher Student Association president.

"We want them to know that you can still learn by having fun," she added.

Finely said, the entire adoption process covered various areas of curriculum to include math, art, creative writing and science. The students used math to sell paper dolphins as they counted how many dolphins needed to be sold. Art and creative writing was incorporated into projects to promote the adoption, and students learned about Delfina's environment through environmental science.

The PTSA helped students raise $100 to adopt Delfina by selling 400, 25 cent paper dolphins. Students gave each paper dolphin a unique flare by drawing designs on them. Each dolphin drawing was displayed on the cafeteria wall to show students their pogress toward adopting Delfina.

"The students were excited to color the dolphins," said Shannon Sabroski, PTSA vice president. "Some drew clothing on the dolphins; some drew American and German flags on them. There was a lot of talent up on the wall."

Adopting Delfina also gave students the opportunity to show off their creative writing skills as the PTSA held a creative essay contest. The winner of the contest, Danielle Ancheta, third grade student, was awarded a toy dolphin, which represents Delfina, to keep in her classroom.

The dolphin is also a reminder to all the students that a little bit of effort can make a big difference. She is also a reminder of what they can achieve when they work together like they did to raise money to protect Delfina's environment, said Finley.

The WWF also expressed their gratitude for the schools efforts.

"By making this donation you are part of our efforts to protect natural environments and endangered species and to help local communities build stustainable livelihoods," said Terry Macko, World Wildlife Fun membership and partner marketing senior vice president, in a letter to the PTSA. "Thank you for your commitment. In a single stroke, by donating to WWF, you forge a brighter future for human and natural communities everywhere."