Cheers erupted as Field-Stevenson Elementary school students watched heaps of popcorn get dumped on their principal during an assembly on Monday, March 16.

The lively assembly was held to celebrate funds raised by Field-Stevenson students during this month’s Double Good popcorn fundraiser, which supports the Forest Park PTO. Field-Stevenson is at 925 Beloit Ave.

Hope Baker
Field Stevenson teachers (left-right) Melissa Bravo, Christina Villamiel, Mary Sherman and Nikki Petrey popcorn the Principal, Susan Bogdan.  Credit: Erica Benson

For the third consecutive year, Field-Stevenson students raised more money than any other school in District 91, earning them a “Popcorn the Principal” assembly. During the assembly, the school’s top fundraisers had the honor of dumping buckets of popcorn on Principal Susan Bogdan in front of the entire school. Top earners at each school also received a $100 Target gift card. 

“I’m going to get popcorn dumped all over me,” said Bogdan, prior to the event. “If there’s something I can do that is going to get the kids excited and pumped up, I’m down. This is the third year in a row that I’m getting ‘popcorned,’ so it’s my three-peat.”

Throughout this year’s Double Good popcorn fundraiser, students across D91’s four schools — Field-Stevenson, Garfield Elementary School, Betsy Ross Elementary School, and Forest Park Middle School — raised a total of $12,447. Of that amount, $5,908 was raised by Field-Stevenson.

Field Stevenson students including Jacob Sankovitch show their excitement during the Popcorn the Principal event Credit: Erica Benson

“Our fundraising chair, Kristin Pekoll, does an amazing job of planning tons of great fundraising events and this one is one of the best,” said PTO President Kc Mutchler. “Kristin makes it fun and competitive, which encourages our students to want to sell even more.”

The annual four-day fundraiser takes place 100% online. Mutchler said the popcorn ships directly to buyers and the PTO gets to keep 50% of all sales.

According to Rachelle Ernst, director of engagement for D91, both students and staff really enjoy the “Popcorn the Principal” assembly. 

“Successful fundraisers, like Double Good Popcorn sale, allow the PTO to host events that help families engage with and support their school communities” Ernst said. “These efforts also make it possible for them to offer many events at little or no cost so that all families have the opportunity to participate.”