Westmont's pupils celebrate birthday of resident dinosaur

Westmont Elementary School pupils on Feb. 1 celebrated the eighth birthday of George, the dinosaur who resides in the media center.

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George came to Westmont eight years ago from the old Augusta-Richmond County Museum. When the museum was moving to the new facility, a new home was sought for George.

One of Westmont's teachers, Judy Kicklighter, brought George to her classroom and, upon retiring last year, offered him to the media center. George now lives in the media center and students write him letters (he has a mailbox) to which he responds faithfully. He occasionally writes a letter to all the pupils, and the letter is read to them by the media staff at story time.

George has a wardrobe -- most notably his Halloween costume -- and on special occasions he dons a hat, such as the birthday hat he wore for his recent celebration.

On Feb. 1, students from each classroom came together for a traditional celebration of George's birthday with Pin the Tail on the Donkey and a scavenger hunt that involved finding a treat bag using a clue related to a library skill.

Games were followed with Happy Birthday sung to George, then by cake and drinks.