By Diana Cox

Thu, Nov 20, 2008 (midnight)

It was a sweet event, everyone agreed. The morning of Nov. 14, fathers and students filled the cafeteria at Lorna Kesterson Elementary School to enjoy doughnuts and spend a few extra minutes together before starting the day.

About 300 dads showed up to the annual event — so many that the PTA ran out of doughnuts and had to send someone to get more.

Knowing this was her last year at Kesterson, fifth grader Demi Delaney told told her father she would be sad if he did not come to the last Dads and Doughnuts they would have together.

Her father, Russ Delaney, said he told his boss he was going to be a little late to work that morning.

"It's a really neat thing," he said. "It makes you realize what's important. It gets your priorities straight."

Demi thought she would be a little more focused on school that day after getting to spend some extra quality time with her dad in the morning.

Fifth grader Samantha Van Zandt and her father, Marty, were enjoying their first Dads and Doughnuts. She attended a private school last year.

"It's a good thing," Marty Van Zandt said. "Usually we just drop them off and head to work. It's nice to have a little extra time to spend with them, and it's a chance to get to know the other parents."

Head custodian John Osborne has been setting up and cleaning up for Dads and Doughnuts for the past seven years. He said the event always has a good turnout and he recognizes many of the dads coming back each year while their children are at Kesterson.

The event also gives the students a chance to introduce their fathers to their favorite school employees.

"Every year there are kids that are really excited to introduce their dads to me," Osborne said. "They come running up and say 'Dad, this is Mr. John.'"

With all of the doughnuts required for the event, the PTA worked to get as many doughnuts as they could. Dunkin Donuts donated five dozen and Smith's, Vons and Albertsons all donated gift cards to be used for the event, PTA President Mandy Vargas said.

Third grader Taylor Lane and her father, Al, purchased Kesterson Coyote T-shirts to wear to the event.

"It's great," Al Lane said. "It makes for a great family environment."

Diana Cox can be reached at (702) 990-8183 or diana.cox@hbcpub.com.