RHMS Fun Run and Breakfast
RHMS cross-country runners were all smiles as they lined up at the starting line for the race to begin.
By Lia Pirazzi, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy of Julie Olsen
On the morning of September 18 at 7:30 a.m., more than 50 people gathered on the Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) football field ready to run the very first Cross-Country Student/Parent Fun Run and Potluck Breakfast. All the participants lined up on the field, waiting for the shot of the starting gun. At the bang, the students and parents started off down the path at a paced run. Conversation and the pump of running feet could be heard throughout the crowd.
The fun run was a mile and a half run that brought together the RHMS cross-country athletes, their parents and the elementary feeder schools: Buffalo Ridge, Redstone, Timber Trail, and Wildcat Mountain. The first few people reached the halfway point quickly, having followed the spray-painted lines around the school, down a path and eventually back toward the football field. These runners enjoyed the exertion the jog gave them. The rest of the group followed suit, but several people decided to finish with a cheerful walk.
When the runners made it back to the field, they were all ready to have a big breakfast which included fruit, donuts, egg dishes, cereal, and chocolate milk. After filling their plates, everyone found a place to sit and chat while enjoying their meal. Athletes were able to talk to the elementary students and were happy to tell them about the great team at RHMS.
The cross-county fun run was organized by the RHMS cross-country coaches: Stephen Schmitz (sixth-grade math), Sharon Majetich (eighth-grade social studies), Julie Olsen (seventh- and eighth-grade family consumer sciences), Heather O’Brien (sixth-grade science), and Lori Qui (school counselor).
Everyone who came out enjoyed the festivities. Coach Olsen said that her absolute favorite part of the whole day was “Bringing together the elementary schools with our cross-country team.” When asked, Coach Majetich said, “We thought the event was a success and we look forward to doing it again next cross-country season.” The Rocky Heights first Cross-Country Student/Parent Fun Run was a great start to a tradition in the making.
