Echoes of “Gobble! Gobble!” filled the autumn air Tuesday when the students of Stepping Stone School IX competed to determine which of them was the Turkey Calling Champion.

Stepping Stone School and ThunderCloud Subs kicked off the 21st annual Turkey Trot and Kids’ K with a live Turkey Call at Stepping Stone School, 8121 Shoal Creek, on Nov. 15. The contestant who elicited the best response from the turkey was to be declared this year’s champion with full rights to “crow” about it, however, because Tom Turkey was silent, all earned honors for their enthusiastic attempts!

The children of Stepping Stone School wore festive, hand-made turkey hats, sang turkey songs and competed to gain the attention of a live turkey. The children also were excited by the presence of television cameras. You can see the news clips from KVUE and YNN.

The families of Stepping Stone School also collected nonperishable food for Caritas of Austin, a non-profit organization that fights hunger, homelessness and poverty.

The Turkey Call is an annual event to encourage registration for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot and Stepping Stone School Kids’ K, which will take place Thanksgiving morning. All proceeds from the Turkey Trot benefit Caritas of Austin.