  This
journal entry was written December 24.
"Amazing". . . That's the word that comes to mind
when I think about the effort that the students
put in this week, particularly the 5th grade
class. The week started with low temperatures
below zero and highs reaching only around 5
degrees. The students had completed their
three-week gymnastics unit and were eager to
run/walk for the border of North Dakota. Although
the temperatures were hovering at the 0º mark,
they ran... and walked... and ran... and walked
some more. You'll have to see the pictures in our
photo gallery to see their effort!
Several weeks ago the school's PTA challenged the
students that if they could finish the 618-mile
route across Montana by December 22 (the last day
of school before Christmas vacation) that they
would give the students a pizza party. Well, early
in the week it was quite obvious that these kids wanted
pizza! However, in the long run - no pun intended
- the kids came up 15 miles short of the North
Dakota border.
 There
is certainly a lot that can be learned through a
trek of this length, and one of those "lessons" is
the need for putting in a consistent effort
throughout the journey. The students were nearly
100 miles behind pace when the week began, and
they tried hard to make up a lot of distance in
just a few days. However, the lesson is that each
student must contribute his or her two miles
each week in order for the entire class
to be successful in this journey. It is a team
effort, and each week each student must do his or
her part. When the team gets behind by a
significant amount, it is very hard to get back on
pace quickly. However, even though the 5th grade
class ended the week a mere 15 miles from the
North Dakota border, we believe they would have
finished had they been allowed to run/walk on
December 22 - the last day before Christmas
vacation. The reason they didn't was because of
a freezing rain storm
that swept through Missoula the night
before, coating the entire city in a layer of ice
that caused school delays, traffic accidents, and
hazardous walking conditions. Had the freezing
rain not occurred, we believe the 5th grade class
would have completed Montana before vacation. This
week the 55 fourth-grade students
covered 85½ miles while the 40
fifth-graders completed an impressive 142
miles - being only a couple miles away from
Baker, Montana. Both classes are
still a bit behind the required pace, but this week
truly showed that they are determined to complete
this trek by June 2006.
 The
students went into Christmas vacation with a
challenge (homework) from Mrs. Staso,
their P.E. teacher. Each child should accomplish 4
miles or running/walking over the 11-day vacation.
If the students do that, they will return to
school - and start the new year - a bit ahead of
pace, having Montana completed as well as the 87
miles across the southwest corner of North Dakota,
which would place them in South Dakota to begin
the new year!
In
anticipation of the students cruising through
North Dakota over the Christmas vacation, we
thought you'd like to know what attractions
they'll see along the 87 miles of Highway 12 -
which was originally called the "Yellowstone
Trail."
They'll encounter
Fort Dilts (west of the town of
Rhame) and the
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum (in the
town of Bowman).
This
week we, the organizers (Paul and Vicki), received
the following note of encouragement from the
parent of a student participating in the Run/Walk
Across America curriculum. It is special because it reveals what is most important about
this journey across America - that a child is becoming more active
as a result.
We
hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that
your 2006 is filled with rewarding moments and
special times. It is certainly a joy and privilege
to encourage the children who are involved in this
trek, and for the many teachers and
students in America who have been inspired by our
virtual trek to begin their own journey we wish you
a safe and successful trip in 2006!
1,200
miles done... 2,000 to go!
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Personal Note:
Vicki Staso is the P.E. teacher at Russell
Elementary School, where this Run/Walk
Across America trek is occurring. She is
truly doing a wonderful job implementing
this project and her husband, Paul, wanted
to share with the SeeUsRun.com readers a
difficult circumstance that she and her
family are experiencing. Three years ago
Vicki's mother, Lorraine, was diagnosed with
breast cancer. Although the doctors acted
quickly, it still metastasized (meaning
spread) through her body - invading her
liver, lungs, bones and brain. |
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She has
undergone extensive radiation and
chemotherapy treatments over the years and
has truly demonstrated amazing perseverance.
During the Christmas holiday Vicki's mother
experienced a significant decline in her
condition and was hospitalized on December
27. Her body has become quite weary of this
battle and we are uncertain as to what will
occur in the coming days and weeks. It
is true that perseverance is much more than
simply the ability to run and/or walk long
distances. It is the measuring stick of
desire and determination... and Vicki's
mother has truly set the bar high by
demonstrating a level of perseverance that
is nothing short of inspirational. |
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Some Encouraging
Notes We Received This Week: |
I'm
27 and have been overweight my entire life. I'm currently training
for a half marathon, have lost 60 pounds and wish I would have
started earlier in life to be active and healthy. Thank you for what
you are doing in the lives of children.
Jeanne Bensch
Branson, Missouri
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Now
that gymnastics is over, I expect that you guys will buckle down and
work at getting back onto pace. You're doing a fine job and I'm
proud of what you are doing. Just remember that this is a long term
commitment, you have to keep working at it until the end of the
school year (well, really until you finish the distance...I think
you'll do that before the end of the school year).
Wayne Baker
Westfield, New Jersey
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keep
it up kids. You can do it! I started walking/running at the age of
46 because I didn't know what you guys know now. Exercise does a
body good!!!
Anonymous
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello
kids!!! My name is Michael Dolan and I am a Technical Sergeant in
the USAF stationed at Vandenberg AFB California. I found you website
on a running blog (part of the running blog family). Your dedication
and energy to complete this trek shows what is great about this
country's youth. I am proud to serve a nation with the promise of a
future in your capable hands.
Keep up the pace !!!
TSgt Michael Dolan
614 Space
Intelligence Squadron
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear
Fourth and Fifth Grade Students and Mrs. Staso: The US Army Soldiers
and civilians of Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis,
Washington, send you all their best wishes for your success in the
"Run Across America." The year-long physical education curriculum
will develop you both mentally and physically. In addition, you will
learn the history and geography of each town, city, county, and
state as you run across the United States. We here at Madigan Army
Medical Center will monitor your progress through each of the states
on your route in anticipation of the completion of your goal in the
spring. KEEP RUNNING......
Sheila R. Baxter
Brigadier General, US Army
Commanding
Tacoma, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
What
a memorable journey! Way to go!
Eddy Ingersoll
Seattle, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Wow!
I am so proud of you all. Keep it up. RUN RUN RUN!!
Randa Froebel
Elementary
Teacher -
Target Range School
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Found
your site via online search. Fantastic - I'm so excited! Wishing you
and your students success.
Margaret Li
London, Canada
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear
fifth grade and forth: I have one thing to say... 'GETER
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
Matthew
Participating Student in the Run/Walk Across America
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Way
to go 5th graders!! Congratulations on your reaching Miles City!!
I'm now watching for the 4th graders to virtually arrive. I hope you
all get a chance to look at the information I sent to each grade on
Miles City.
Karen Huckins
Former
Librarian At Russell Elementary School
Miles City, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher's
Note: Each one of my little runners wrote a thought. Here they
are:
We hope you run more. We hope that you run every single day. We hope
you finish your run. Good job, kids! It's great that you run. We
want you to finish and be happy that you actually did it. Keep on
running! I hope you do good. Can't wait until you reach the finish
line. Have fun! Good luck running across America. We run, too! We
are going to write letters to you. Good job!
Mrs. Goodrow's Class
Birch
Grove Primary
Tolland, Connecticut
_________________________________________________________________________________________
A
BIG MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE STUDENTS in the 4th and 5th classes
and their teachers. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006 as the run continues toward
your goal. We all support your efforts. Keep running!!
.
Ann Denzer
Tacoma, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Just
wanted to take a moment and tell all of you I am very proud of you
and what you are doing! I ran across your website when I started to
plan my walk across America that hopefully will begin this April
1st, 2006. One of my routes I am contemplating actually comes through
Missoula. If I decide to take this route I would love to stop by and
talk to your classes and tell you of my walk across America to that
point. Best wishes!
Billy Belcher
Roanoke, Virginia
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi
Kids! I want to wish you a very good New Year! By the time you read
this, you'll have probably passed through a town that has my last
name. You're doing a good job. I can't believe how big Montana is!
Keep going and you'll soon be done with North Dakota, too!
Matthew
2nd Grade Student -
Benjamin Franklin School
Westfield, New Jersey
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