<\/a>Peter Segall \/ Juneau Empire\n From right to left, Braden De Varny, 11; Cat De Varny, 4; Tazlina Heckman, 9; and a turkey have their photo taken outside Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Wednesday for a fundraiser for the school’s vocational programs.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
“It’s not a Juneau thing but its an American thing,” he said. “A lot of people in Juneau have never seen a turkey.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The agriculture club gave Juneau students an experience they might not otherwise get, Anderson said, and gave students moving to the area from out of state something familiar.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Most of the patrons were families with small children, some of whom were not as enthralled by the large bird as their parents were.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Amy Balagna brought her 4-year-old, Clara, for a photo and to help support the program. Clara didn’t want to get too close to the bird, but said she had fun taking the picture. Before they came, Clara was under the impression she needed to bring her own turkey for the shoot, Balagna said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Julia Barrientes came with her two daughters, Ramona, 9, and Ahnkaawoo, 10, to have their picture taken.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“Mommy wanted us to,” Ramona said almost in unison with her sister, adding she was somewhat afraid the bird would chase her.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“I thought it would be fun, I’ve never had a picture with a turkey,” Barrientes said with a laugh.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The star bird was not one of JDHS’, but one kept by the family of agriculture club student Ashlynn King, who raises the birds for meat.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“He’s great with people and (JDHS’s) turkeys aren’t big or nice,” King said of the bird. “I’ve never seen a turkey so friendly.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Male turkey are known as a Tom, King said, and this particular bird was about six months old. He was also about a week away from becoming dinner, she said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t