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Marathon
Scholars is a program that rewards elementary school children for exercising
and reading. The long-range goal is to encourage a lifelong interest
in both activities.
The reason for the establishment of the program is that our society is not encouraging exercising and reading; instead, we find ourselves spending hours sitting in front of televisions, munching unhealthy snacks and, in many cases, watching unhealthy TV programs without using our minds. The Scholars program is a small attempt to encourage change.
The specifics of the program are straightforward. Students will be recognized with an award for running or walking 26 miles and for reading 26 books within a specified time – Usually the school year. On awards day all students will receive Marathon Scholar tee shirts; and those students who have read 26 books and run or walked 26 miles will receive medals honoring their achievements. They are the Marathon Scholars. The goal is for all students in each school to receive medals. There's plenty of time.
The program is led by Nicholas County native Frank Young, an accomplished athlete who has spent years encouraging young people to run. He is assisted by Lydia Young, Principal of Glade Creek Elementary School, Dave Henderson of Summersville Hospital, and Richard Trenbath, a Family Physician.
Dave Henderson has brought the financial support of Summersville Hospital to the program making it possible for all students to receive a tee shirt and all Marathon Scholars to receive- a medal in addition to the tee shirt at the awards ceremony at the end of the year. Webster Hospital and the Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center will help finance an expansion of the program to Webster County this year.
The first Nicholas County school to be involved in the Marathon Scholars program was Beaver Elementary School in Craigsville, 2004 - 2005.
In- 2005 - 2006, six elementary schools participated: Beaver, Glade Creek, Cherry River, Mt. Nebo, Mt. Lookout, and Zela.
In 2006 - 2007, all the public elementary schools of _ Nicholas County except one participated.
This year (2007 - 2008) it is hoped that all public and private elementary schools in Nicholas and Webster County will Participate.
Hopefully some seeds for exercising and reading will be planted.
WHAT THE SCHOOL SHOULD DO
1. If possible, involve all teachers and classes.
2. Arrange
for the teachers to keep track of the number of books each student
reads. The goal, of course, is to read at least 26
books
by May, 2008.
3. Arrange for several volunteers to keep track of the number
of miles run or walked by the students.
4. Encourage participation of the students' fami1ies in reading and
walking.
5. Encourage students to help each other finish the 26 miles and
26 books.
6. Have a lot of fun reading and exercising.
WHAT THE PROGRAM SHOULD DO
1. Frank Young, Lydia Young, Dave Henderson, and Richard Trenbath
will help the school get started on the Marathon Scholars program
in the
fall with suggestions, ideas, and forms if needed.
2. We will meet in the fall with all your students and teachers
at an assembly to give the program a rousing start.
3. We may visit periodically to encourage the teachers, students,
and volunteers.
4. We will help with the choice of an Awards Day in May.
5. On Awards Day, we will come with Tee shirts and medals to
present all the students.
In conjunction with Nicholas County High School, seniors
have the option to take a mentoring class. On Tues and Thurs, up to
8 seniors mentor at SMH. The give us their interests and we try to
schedule them where they want.
SMH also partners in education with Mt Nebo Elementary School.
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or it's affiliates and may not be reproduced without permission.© Summersville
Memorial Hospital 2006-2007
Web site design by: Mark Douglas
