SARGENT — Students at Sargent Elementary School recently completed a Bike-A-Thon to raise funds for a digital marquee for the building.

The Bike-A-Thon was a daylong event that included hands on learning specifically targeted to help meet the mission and goals of the district. The Sargent District has developed goals designed to enhance student achievement and relationships between the district and stakeholders. These goals include things like providing more STEM learning opportunities, providing more physical education, and increasing communication between the district and parents and Sargent community members. The Bike-A-Thon helped to achieve these goals by providing students with an opportunity to learn more about their brains and the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike.

Students attended a bike safety course. During the course, they got an overview of their brain and its role in their daily life. Older students busted myths on their brains and all students got an opportunity for more STEM learning, by designing a “helmet” for an egg. Students also had the opportunity for more physical education by participating in a bike rodeo and obstacle course, as well as the Bike-A-Thon itself. Several students, including Jayce Capron, Cooper Gosar, Garrett Thomson, Kaden Tolsma, and Burke Temple rode 20 miles in an hour and a half!

The fundraising aspect of the Bike-A-Thon also provides students an opportunity to work on communication skills, personal responsibility, math skills, and goal setting. These are important 21st century skills that can help students be successful later in life. The students’ fundraising endeavors and corporate sponsorships raised over $10,300 for the digital marquee. The marquee relates to the district’s goal of increasing communication with parents and members of the Sargent community.

At the end of the day, students were rewarded for their fundraising and bike riding efforts. Individual winners of the Bike-A-Thon included Addison Gilbert, Brendan Hemmerling, Sophia Mitchell, Lane Mattive, Trever Anderson, Bryson Paulson (double winner for fundraising and miles ridden), Parker Mitchell (double winner for fundraising and miles ridden), Kinleigh Hathorn, Sylvia Daugherty, Kaelyn Deacon, Lyza Davis, Madeline Mitchell, Blake Anderson, Carmen Campos, Nolwenn DeFaye, Kyra Griffin, Jayce Capron, Mitchell Peterson, Emma Sewell, Becca Stambaugh, Cooper Gosar (double winner for fundraising and miles ridden), Kaleb Watson, Hayden Lester, Westen Burkhart, Genney Maxwell, Garrett Thomson, Matthew Voss, Jaden Twite, Desirae Lopez, Kaden Tolsma (double winner for fundraising and miles ridden), and Burke Temple.

Sargent Elementary thanks corporate sponsors including Aspen Produce, Dell’s Insurance, Hart of the Valley, Lenco West, McCormick Milne, Metz Potato, Monte Glass, Monte Vista Machine Tool (MVMT), Myers Brothers, RE Garrison, Rio Grande Grain and Seed, Rocky Mountain Memorabilia, San Luis Valley Auto Repair, SLV Medical Center, Worley Seed, Farm Credit Service, Spud Sellers, State Farm, Wenta Nip, Worley& McCullough, INC, IHOP, Arby’s, Dairy Queen, Narrow Gauge Newstand, Wal-Mart, Kristi Mountain Sports, ABC Pro Bowl, Subway, Splashland LLC, Hobby Town, Stones Farm Supply, and Monte Vista Potato Growers.

The Sargent Bike-A-Thon is an annual event sponsored by the Sargent Elementary PTO. Each year funds are raised for a special project that will support the district’s mission and goals. A very special thank you goes out to all individuals who supported the event monetarily or with volunteer hours.

Caption: Sargent first graders are ready to begin the Bike-A-Thon. Courtesy photo