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Community Corner

About Town: Cross Country Champions

One school swept through the fifth grade boys standings. And some ideas for the kids while they're off from school this week.

Even though it was nippy outside yesterday, that didn't deter kids from participating in the Summit Elementary Schools Cross Country Race.  Children in grades 3-5 from all five elementary schools gathered at Memorial Field to run a one-mile race around the grounds, and the chance to be crowned King or Queen of the track. All together six races were slated, with the boys and girls fields divided. Physical Education Instructors, Paul Fessock, Bruce Fenska, Tom Simmons, Laura Burr and Jeff Bowers organized the event, which runs once a year in the fall to help school children develop good health and fitness habits. It's also an opportunity for the kids to get acquainted with the track and field program, so there's an incentive to take up the sport in middle school if they do well in the one mile. Parents and siblings were cheering on their loved ones, even though the mercury level was dipping into scarves and hats territory.

The highly anticipated contest of the day had to be the fifth grade boys race. Runners made their way to the starting line just after 4 p.m., and after several minutes of pre-race warm-ups, they stood on their marks, awaiting the sound of the gun (actually one of the teachers yelled "Go!") The race started, and the boys sprinted downhill in a cluster for the first quarter of a mile. And then gradually, a front runner emerged. Reed Pierotti of Lincoln-Hubbard School took control of the race midway through, and never relinquished the lead. He charged his way to a first place finish with a time of 6:45. Pierotti was followed by his Lincoln-Hubbard classmates, J.J. Stewart, second, and Max Hayford rounded out the top three.

"It's very special for me," Pierotti  said, "because last year I came in second, and this was my last opportunity at finishing first." He also went on to express how happy he was that his friends from Lincoln-Hubbard took  second and third place.

J.J. Stewart worked hard for his second place finish, running most of the way with a nasty cramp. But Stewart told me he was inspired to keep going because of a song he learned at school called, Shine. What an inspiring effort.

And third place runner up, Max Hayford, is especially proud. This is the first time he's "officially" participated in the event. Last year he didn't arrive for the race until after it started, so he was disappointed he didn't get the finish he was looking for. But he is certainly content with the outcome this time around!

So what will the winner be doing to celebrate his accomplishment? Mom, Kristen said, "We'll make a toast over dinner later."  

All together more than 30 boys entered the competition, and each should be applauded for their efforts. Pierotti will have all year to savor his victory, until next November when he'll pass the crown to the next fifth grade King of the track.

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Looking for something to keep the kids busy this Thursday and Friday while they're off from school for the teachers convention? The Reeves-Reed Arboretum is offering a horticulture experience for children ages 5-8 and for bigger kids ages 9-12. The theme of their half-day camp is called Around the World in Two Days. Children will be given a passport and will get the chance to play explorer by locating the geography and habitats of the lands being discussed. You'll get to visit unique specimens in the green house, and around the Arboretum grounds. You can attend one or two days of the camp. Cost is $20 for each session, with a $5 discount if you attend both sessions. For more information, please call the Arboretum at: 908-273-8787 .

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