Donna Oden and Mary Sawaya of the Xi Alpha Tau sorority presented $1,000 to Canyon Elementary fourth graders on Thursday, March 7. The money will go toward next year’s Expedition Yellowstone trip for the students.

Canyon Elementary fourth graders filed out of their classrooms on March 7, not knowing why they were being called into the hallway by their teachers.

But then Xi Alpha Tau sorority member Donna Oden revealed the giant check for $1,000, and  the students clapped and cheered as only 50 11-year-olds can do.

The donation by Xi Alpha Tau will be used to help fund next year’s Expedition Yellowstone.

The trip is a tradition for Kemmerer fourth-graders, who visit the country’s first National Park for a week to learn about geology and natural history. 

Xi Alpha Tau raised the money for the donation at their Valentine’s fundraiser in February. Oden and fellow sorority member Mary Sawaya said the group was happy the money could go to helping the students explore Yellowstone. 

Canyon Elementary fourth graders and Xi Alpha Tau members pose with a donated check for $1,000 that will be used for next year’s Expedition Yellowstone.

The fourth graders presented Xi Alpha Tau sorority members Donna Oden and Mary Sawaya with a thank you card for the group’s donation.