Bellefontaine Police Department Detective Dwight Salyer shows first-graders from Southeastern Elementary School how the police sirens and lights work on a police cruiser. The first-graders visited the Bellefontaine police station as part of a walking field trip Tuesday. (EXAMINER PHOTO | CARRIE ELLINGTON)

The Riverside Parent-Teacher Organization recently hosted its annual Read-A-Thon fundraiser, where students were challenged to see how many minutes they could read outside of the classroom while raising money for extracurricular projects and hands-on learning experiences.

The top readers for the contest were third-grader Kirstin Schlumbohm and her sister, first-grader Kaitlyn Schlumbohm, each of whom read 1,660 minutes, and also fifth-grader Kaitlyn Copas, who read 1,435 minutes. These students each received a Wal-Mart gift card.

The top students in the fundraising category were kindergartner Landon Purtee, first-grader Emma Saylor, and third-grader Olivia Perk, who raised $175, $100 and $63, respectively. They each received a new book.

The top classroom per grade level also received a reward recess, and the top readers in each grade level received books as their prizes.

This event provides funds for field trip transportation, COSI on Wheels’ visit to the school, and supplements classrooms with extra materials.

Stephanie Jo Altstaetter, the 7-year-old daughter of Philipp and Brandi Altstaetter of Bellefontaine, recently donated 8 inches of her hair to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths Campaign.

Pantene will use the hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

The Indian Lake Elementary School second-grader has been growing out her auburn locks since the first day of kindergarten to honor of her family members who have lost their lives to cancer and those who have battled it and won.

“She was so excited to donate her red hair,” her mother said. “She hopes that her hair will be one of the first wigs to go, as so many people want red hair."

NAMI recently graduated seven individuals from its 12-week Family to Family Training. The training helps provide family members with coping skills when mental illness strikes a loved one.

Pictured here are Elaine Thompson, Brad Winner, Jackie Winner, Bill Evans, Josie Evans, trainer Bill Heitman, Laura Williams, NAMI president Pete Floyd, Darlene O'brien and trainer Lori Taylor.

ABOVE: Kathy Putt of Bellefontaine helps her grandson Hunter Werling, 2, through the obstacle course during Saturday morning’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo. FRONT PAGE PHOTO: Sloan Stolly, 3, of Bellefontaine, maneuvers through a figure eight path as Alina Nattkamp leads the way during Saturday morning’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo at Mary Rutan Park. The event was sponsored by Mary Rutan Hospital and included free helmets and some bicycle give-aways. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES)

Jacob Forquer reads a selection of poetry during a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation benefit Saturday hosted by Bryant Dill of Some Weird Sin literary magazine at Sweet Aromas in downtown Bellefontaine. (EXAMINER PHOTO | REUBEN MEES)

Southeastern Elementary conducted their Leave a Legacy project during April and May, and raised $334 to benefit the Humane Society Serving Logan County.

In April, the girls attended a Father-Daughter Dance, and during May, the boys attended a Mother-Son Baseball game. Donations were accepted at each event.

Students recently presented a check to the humane society’s financial manager, Gretchen Anderson. Students pictured are Parker Penhorwood, Avery Hankins, Carmen Shumaker, Austin Hammond and Zach Horvath.