By MEGAN MOYER
Moapa Valley Progress
Grant Bowler Elementary school students brought their moms to school on Thursday morning, Nov. 7 for the annual Moms and Muffins breakfast. No less than eight cases of muffins were ordered for the event by leaders of the Bowler Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the group that puts this event on every year for the school.
Students were able to bring a loved one with them to school that day and have a breakfast of muffins and milk or juice. Then they could take their moms with them to play outside on the playground.
“In the PTO, we love having families involved,” said Moms and Muffins chairperson Amy Warburton. “It gives a sense of community. And a strong community helps our kids achieve more.”
Some key volunteers, most of them Bowler fathers, also helped out at the event so that the moms would be able to enjoy the morning. These included Kent Bennion, Gabriel Zubia, Tom Rhude, Randi Richins, Tanner Garlick, and Dallin Garlick.
One of the helpers, Randi Richins, a dad, has served at Moms and Muffins for 5 years. He commented that “moms are awesome!”
Moms weren’t the only loved ones that students brought to the event. StudentS were encouraged to invite anyone if their mom was unavailable. There were great aunts, grandmas, and even surrogate moms who brought a bunch of kids from their neighborhood.
“I am impressed with the turnout,” said Bowler Assistant Principal Mitch Ozaki. “We have a lot of good people in our community.”
Local mom Mandie Matheson, who has children ranging in ages from college all the way down to 3rd grade, has become a frequent flyer to this event over the years. She said that she couldn’t remember how long they have been holding Moms and Muffins.
“It is really nice of the PTO to let moms come and not have to make breakfast and be able to socialize,” Matheson said.
And there was a lot of socializing going on. Moms and students sat next to new people and got to know one another as they ate their breakfast.
“This is my favorite event of the whole year!” said mom, Erin Francom who serves as a member of the School Operational Team (SOT) and has two children at the school. “I love any excuse to come and hang out with the kids!”
