By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

RESERVE – With only 15 seconds of time to grab whatever she could, Riverside Academy teacher Michelle Graci ran through the aisles of Gregg’s Supermarket in Reserve Thursday and brought in a rather tidy haul.

Graci, a 12th grade English and social studies teacher, won a random drawing during the school’s Teacher Appreciation Week for a chance to make the quick dash through the store. After the run, Graci said she had a distinct strategy to maximize her time inside the store.

“I was just going to head straight for the meat department and try not to break my leg on the way,” Graci said.

With a basket rolling in front of her, Graci sprinted to the back of the store, where she was able to pile several packages of steaks and other meats into her cart before time ran out. She said she pulled in enough for several nice meals.

At the checkout counter, Graci’s final tally was $77.80, which translates to about $5 per second. Riverside Academy Assistant Principal Rhonda Perkins said the school would foot the bill.

Graci also had quite the cheering section with students from her English literature class providing strategy and moral support. Many students also joined Graci on the run through the store.

“It is the second to last day of class for them, so they are excited to cheer her on,” Perkins said.

Perkins said the supermarket run was one of several events that took place at Riverside as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. She said the school handed out doughnuts and snowballs, gave away other prizes and also took teachers to lunch throughout the week with an event each day. Perkins said the supermarket run was the first of its kind for Riverside.

“Principal Perry DiCarlo came up with the idea in a revival of the old television game show ‘Supermarket Sweep,’” said Perkins.