s n o i t a l u t a r g n Co
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it ’ in k c o r e r a o h w th u o y l a to our loc Matthew Thomas of Oak Ridge has been a competitive gymnast for eight years. Competing as a Level 9 gymnast, Thomas recently placed second in the 2021 NC Men’s State Championships and is a 2021 Men’s National Championships qualifier.
Photo courtesy of Holly Baum
Summerfield resident Sarah Baum, 18, was the first-place female finisher in her age category (female 15-19) and sixth-place overall female finisher of 418 female participants in the Blue Ridge HalfMarathon race of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, Virginia, last month. The Blue Ridge Marathon is advertised as one of “America’s Toughest Road Races.” The half-marathon (13.1 miles) climbed two peaks with a total elevation gain of 1,897 feet. Shown in photo, Baum holds her trophy for first-place female finisher in her age category with Mill Mountain in the background.
Oak Ridge Elementary’s fifth grade graduating class recently left their mark on the school by putting their handprints on the new spirit rock installed this past spring. “The kids were so happy to do this, as simple as it was!” wrote Amy Hall, parent of a fifth grader, who emailed photos to the Northwest Observer. “I think it was one of the first special events all year.” In keeping with a tradition started over 20 years ago, the students also added their handprints to the hallway wall inside the school.
Photos courtesy of Amy Hall
