Mrs. Stacy Lamanna, an Art Teacher at Trafford Middle School held ‘Pet Penny Wars’ during April to inspire students to collaborate on creative animal sculptures and also raise money for a local animal shelter.
Students in seventh and eighth grades were challenged to create dog or cat sculptures in the style of Tube Dude artist, Scott Gerber. Students were only permitted to use cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper. The sculptures were then displayed, each with a jug for depositing coins. Every penny deposited earned a point for that sculpture, but nickels, dimes and quarters scored against that sculpture (helping the other sculptures advance). At the end, the sculptures with the most points were declared winners.
In total, the school raised $353.20 (in addition to several donatable items) and all proceeds were donated to the Helping Hearts/Healing Tails Animal Rescue of Westmoreland County.