Lakeview Intermediate School’s principal was taken down by a police dog in front of all his students Monday afternoon — but not as part of a crime.
Instead, the demonstration was the reward for a fundraiser by students that raised about $1,200 for the Stow Police Department’s K-9 Unit.
“We agreed that I’d do this if they raised $1,000,” said Andy Yanchunas, principal of the school in Stow.
Yanchunas — wearing a protective, padded suit that also limited his movement — waddled into the school’s gymnasium Monday before the entire student body. His expression one of nervous excitement, Yanchunas dashed as quickly as he could move in a padded suit away from K-9 police dog Colt, a 7½-year-old German Shepherd, who sprinted after him at full speed.
In seconds, the dog took Yanchunas to the ground, ripping the principal’s right arm in its toothy grip. If not for the suit, Yanchunas’ arm might have been torn apart. Once the principal was down, the dog’s handler, Sgt. Steve Miller, called the dog off and Yanchunas got to his feet.
The crowd of students went wild, roaring in applause and cheers.
The fundraiser benefited the Celtic Club, which hosted its 12th annual St. Pet’s Day. The Irish-themed event usually collects money and pet food for local shelters, but this year opted instead to support Stow’s police dogs.
Monday’s wrap-up event for the students included more than a K-9 demonstration. The crowd of students, speckled in green and some wearing Irish derby bowler hats and bright orange leprechaun beards, watched performances of traditional Irish music by the band Celtic Rush and stepdancing by the MacConmara Academy of Irish Dancers. Some students even got to participate in a stepdancing tutorial.
One of the academy’s students, sixth-grader Paige Krec, has been stepdancing for three years.
“I went to an Irish festival when I was 9 and I went up on stage to dance,” she said, “and I really liked it, so I started taking lessons.”
She was the only student at the school who took lessons at the academy — but she said she’s been trying to convince her friend, fellow sixth-grader Savannah Pollock, to join her.
“She’s tried to teach me so many times,” Savannah said.
On Monday, Paige got the chance to teach Savannah the ropes when she persuaded her to join the tutorial, led by one of the academy’s teachers. Savannah learned the steps to the Irish Jig along with dozens of other students.
Asked if she’d like to learn more after trying it out, Savannah smiled wide.
“I think so,” she said.
In addition to student donations, Stow-Munroe Falls School District faculty will participate in a silent auction to raise funds, and a variety of other events will collect money for St. Pet’s Day. James Collver, who heads the Celtic Club, said he expects between $2,000 and $2,500 will be raised in total.
Collver said the group opted to raise money for the police K-9 unit because of current events.
“With what’s been going on in the country,” he said, “I thought it was important to show some support for the police.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.