Potomac Principal John Rouse and first grader Talon Martin finishing a lap together Oct. 20 during the annual Potomac School Bike-a-Thon.
Potomac eighth grader Westin Ployhar popping a wheelie during the annual Bike-a-Thon Oct. 20.
Not everyone rode their bicycles. Aspen Zupan, Iyla MacDonald and Levi Brown rolled around the school during the Bike-a-Thon.
POTOMAC - Students and staff enjoyed a mild October day for the annual Potomac Bike-a-Thon. The entire school turned out for the event Oct. 20 including more than 90 students with teachers, staff and parents helping to guide traffic, punch mileage cards, walk with and cheer on the group. Motorists also got into the spirit with some honking and waving their support.
Teacher Sarah Schmill noticed the support each year. She said, "Support of the event's purpose, support from the community, support the students show each other and continued support from Missoula Free Cycles."
Prior to the Bike-a-Thon event, the students sought out sponsors to donate money to them and then they rode around the school from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. the day of the event. Three laps around the school block equals one mile. Seventh grader David O'Hara rode the most miles totaling 37. More than $7,289 was raised and will be used for various educational school activities.
Last year the event was not held due to COVID concerns. Longtime Potomac first grade teacher Terri Klein said it is a day when kids really step up and show compassion and stamina.
"These kids are amazing! What I love most is seeing all the kids as they come around the corner and being able to cheer them on,» Klein said.
Teacher Damian Gaglia commented how it is always great to see students outside of the classroom doing something that they enjoy - riding bikes with friends.
"One of my favorite things about Bike-a-thon is watching the students helping each other out or mixing around with students they don't typically get to hang around. It's so cool to see older kids with younger kids," he added.
Teacher Abby Stitt remembers 12 Bike-a-thon events and loves watching the kids and the personal growth they make in just one day.
"For little kids, it could be that they develop more endurance to stick with something for a longer period of time. Some of them start the day barely knowing how to ride, and by the end, they are zipping around pretty well. Some kids have started the day with training wheels and then get them taken off as they get the hang of it." Stitt added, "For the older kids, it's fun to see them work on goals, whether it's beating a personal record from years past or trying to set new school records."
From the balloons and blasting music to the snacks, cheering and smiles, Klein said it makes for a fabulous day. "It's a great tradition!"
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