The Year of the Turkey Vulture

Every year, after the Birdie Bake Sale, there comes the time of counting the money and selecting a raptor to sponsor.

Birdie Bake Sale - We SOLD OUT

Every year, I (and maybe one other) am the only one to vote for the amazing and adorable turkey vulture. The snowy owl, barn owl, or similar "cute" raptor wins the popular vote. It's gotten to be quite the school joke, as former students (practically all grown up now) will pass me in the hall and say, "So, is it going to be the year of the turkey vulture?" and snicker.

This year, I don't know what happened. 10 VOTES for the turkey vulture, making it win by a landslide. Was it the cool poster (in both the library and our classroom)? Was it the felted turkey vulture toy that everyone got to hold? Was it that the students all missed their teacher after 2 and a half weeks?

Or was it just possible that I have a group of children who recognize all that is fine about this majestic creature. If you don't believe me, give a listen to the following. This was recorded at the LSNC by Joe Reilly: