Students, staff ‘race for the cure’ at annual school wide 5K

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

With the end of another school year comes the time for students and staff at New Buffalo Area Schools to put on their running shoes and “race for the cure” around the track (and Oselka Park) at New Buffalo Middle/High School.

Students and staff members converged on the multiplex field Monday, May 15, for the annual all-school 5K, which was hosted by the school district by the high school’s student senate.

The event began in 2016 to honor Marie Churchill, a thirdgrade teacher at New Buffalo Elementary School, as she fought her own battle with cancer.

Churchill, who was one of the race’s leaders, continues to be cancer free seven years after her surgery.

“She travels twice a year to the Mayo Clinic for testing but has been able to get back to running and working –two of her favorite things. We are blessed to have her here with us today to kick start our event and to continue to be an inspiration to each and every one of us,” middle school teacher Lisa Knoll said during the pre-5K ceremony.

This year, proceeds from the event went toward Angels of Hope which, according to its website, provides “critical support to Michigan families directly impacted by cancer,” with a goal to “help ease the burden caused by the disease, its treatment and its devastating effects – both financial and emotional.”

Funds raised through a “March’s Mustache” vote, the purchase of T-shirts and paying to dunk a teacher in the dunk tank (with the New Buffalo Township Fire Department filling the tank), snack purchases during advisory periods at school and plants purchased through sales from Envirothon went to the organization.

Students also participated in a “Coins for Cancer” campaign. The middle school raised $621, with the sixth grade achieving first place status at $278. The high school raised $430, with the seniors taking first place at $275. The event was coordinated by the middle and high school student senates, SADD and the Future Educators of America.

As was tradition, students also paid tribute to departing teachers or staff members: high school math teacher Ed Fidler, who Knoll thanked for spending 20 years of “helping us trying to understand math, for greeting us every morning, for racing us to the cafeteria and for making memories for us after school” and elementary school teacher Kristie Pinette, who, for the past 24 years, has “taught so many lives” and “has guided, inspired and cared enough to help everyone around her shine.”