Breakfast of champions

COEUR d’ALENE — Winton Elementary students have been learning about generosity and selflessness.

Friday morning, more than 700 colorful cereal boxes snaked around the gym floor to prove they've not only been listening, but taking action, too.

"I have an amazing group of kids with very giving hearts," said kindergarten teacher Danielle Henriquez.

Her class brought in 159 cereal boxes to claim first place in the school's December cereal drive.

It was a narrow margin of victory.

Second place went to Sandy Brixen's second-grade class with 147 boxes of cereal.

Both classes will enjoy a pizza party for their efforts.

First grade teacher Taylor Malinauskas and her students were third with 82 boxes.

All told, 755 boxes will go to the Community Action Partnership Food Bank.

They easily beat last year's 550 boxes.

School counselor Bri Birdsall praised the students.

"When you look around this room, do you see generosity?" she asked

"Yes," the students shouted.

They chanted "Winton Wolves" as boxes of Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran, Lucky Charms and more toppled over, in domino fashion.

Birdsall said students rallied to the cause and brought in cereal daily. They received about 70 boxes from Super 1 Foods in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden.

Parents and grandparents pitched in.

"My kids just brought in a little bit more every day," said Henriquez, who did her part, as well.

Friday morning, before the assembly, she made a last-minute stop and bought 20 boxes of cereal.

It proved to be the difference.

"It was really close," Henriquez said, smiling.