Students at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School in East Baltimore recently took part in a turkey pardoning event, keeping alive a tradition popularized in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush. The event, led by Baltimore City Public Schools chief executive Dr. Sonja Santelises, featured a turkey named Ted, whose life the students petitioned to save as part of the Thanksgiving ritual.
In the end, a moving speech by fifth-grader Jamaya Moore played a key role in Ted’s pardoning. “I think we should pardon the turkey because they have families and they live on the farm and in the forest,” she explained. Jamaya also shared fun facts about turkeys, including their distinct male and female vocalizations and their status as the eighth-largest living bird species by weight.
Inspired by Jamaya’s persuasive words, Dr. Santelises announced that Ted would be pardoned, acknowledging the impact of all the students’ heartfelt pleas. The kids can now enjoy the Thanksgiving break from school satisfied that their efforts spared Ted his awful fate and will mean a better Thanksgiving for him, too!
Source: WMAR 2 NEWS