By Larry Sacks

 

All schools have mascots.  Many schools use animals as their mascot.  Mascots seem to range from eagles to bears to dogs to frogs to wildcats and to horses.  But it’s not many schools that actually have an activity involved with their mascot.  One school in particular has carried on a tradition of celebrating their mascot, and last Friday, that tradition took place for the 43rd time.  Sutter Elementary School celebrated their mascot in what at first glance, seemed a somewhat quixotic way, but on closer look, makes more than enough sense and is fun for everyone too.

 

Friday, April 25, was the day set aside for Sutter’s Annual Frog Jumping Contest.  Started 43 years ago by two teachers who visited the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee, the tradition still runs strong.  Even though they both retired over 10 years ago, the former 5th grade teachers, Bill Guzules and Lee Guidici, help the tradition they started continue running by returning to the school every year with frogs.  A lot of frogs.  But this isn’t just some cheap penny-anty frog jumping event.  No, this is a sanctioned event where the winner is allowed to enter the annual Frog Jumping Jubilee (or if they’re unable to make it, Mr. Guzules enters for them).   Lee Guidici is somewhat of a celebrity as well, as he is the current World Record holder for a jump of 21’ 5 3/4”with Rosie the Ribiter in 1986. 

 

The event is so popular with past students that many take an hour or so out of their day to come back.  More than one parent said their son or daughter will return to school next week with a note stating they were absent for the Frog Jumping Contest.  Alyssa Jensen, (21), a Criminal Justice student at De Anza, returned for the event with her mother Lisa and son Dylan, (14) because “the event was so much fun and it’s sort of a tradition now.” 

 

While the event is centered on education, as the students study about frogs and their habitats, students of all ages are allowed to enter.  Even though Alyssa said she might not jump a frog during the event, she was quite enthralled by it, taking pictures and joining with others to cheer on the competitors.  Lisa said “she was hoping to jump a frog again and was going to encourage her daughter to do so also.” 

 

In order to hold an event like this, in addition to cheering crowds, volunteers are also necessary.  Some of the tasks are extremely important and require significant attention to detail.  As fitting tasks of this magnitude, Fifth grade students are selected to help with the event.  Even though it was their first time, the jobs of Frog Wrangler, Frog Jump Distance Measurer, and Frog Handler were ably handled with the aplomb of seasoned veterans.  As fifth graders, this is their last year at Sutter – thus the importance of their duties.  Frog Wrangler Danielle, said “even though the frogs jump everywhere, catching them with the net isn’t very difficult, but they do keep you on your toes.”  Frog Jump Distance Measuring was handled by Shyla and Kim and Frog Handling was performed by Ben, Jake, Justin and Aylsson. 

 

While the official results of the jumping contest aren’t listed here, what is known is that a fun time was had by all – faculty, volunteers, spectators, students and former students.  Next year will be the 44th year of the frog jump and should prove to be even more fun as the tradition continues.