TVMS Students Participate In Mock 5K
October 25, 2024 at 5:35 p.m.
AKRON – Sixth-graders at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School participated in a mock 5K race Friday at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Kacie Zolman, volunteer with MyTeam Triumph and physical education and health teacher at TVMS, said about 80 students were split up into six teams and each student was responsible for running or walking two laps around the track. Each team was partnered with an adult familiar with MyTeam Triumph and how running can change people.
TVMS partnered with MyTeam Triumph for the event. The partnership is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities by fostering relationships through the teamwork-based environment of endurance athletics. The initiative promotes not only physical fitness but also the values of teamwork, empathy and inclusion in all aspects of life, according to a provided news release.
Adam Heckman (R), Tippecanoe Valley School Board member, runs with Tippecanoe Valley Middle School students during a mock 5K Friday. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-UnionFor the event, students learned about the significance of inclusivity disability awareness and how no one should be overlooked. The students also trained for the event, stated the release.
The community rallied behind the event, with local organizations providing volunteers and sponsorship to ensure all necessary accommodations are met for students with disabilities, stated the release.
When asked how Friday’s event got started, Zolman said, “It was a gift from God that he put in my mind and I just executed it. I wanna be able to build good humans and allow for the students to be able to feel what it’s like to change others’ lives. And I really believe that when we can come together as one and have this opportunity,” people can grow from it.
She said she hopes Friday’s event teachs students there’s more to life than themselves.
“I want them to know the world is big and even a small, kind gesture can change someone’s life,” she said.
Zolman said she was open to expanding the event in the future “and bringing awareness to all abilities so we can celebrate all abilities together.”
AKRON – Sixth-graders at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School participated in a mock 5K race Friday at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Kacie Zolman, volunteer with MyTeam Triumph and physical education and health teacher at TVMS, said about 80 students were split up into six teams and each student was responsible for running or walking two laps around the track. Each team was partnered with an adult familiar with MyTeam Triumph and how running can change people.
TVMS partnered with MyTeam Triumph for the event. The partnership is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities by fostering relationships through the teamwork-based environment of endurance athletics. The initiative promotes not only physical fitness but also the values of teamwork, empathy and inclusion in all aspects of life, according to a provided news release.
Adam Heckman (R), Tippecanoe Valley School Board member, runs with Tippecanoe Valley Middle School students during a mock 5K Friday. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-UnionFor the event, students learned about the significance of inclusivity disability awareness and how no one should be overlooked. The students also trained for the event, stated the release.
The community rallied behind the event, with local organizations providing volunteers and sponsorship to ensure all necessary accommodations are met for students with disabilities, stated the release.
When asked how Friday’s event got started, Zolman said, “It was a gift from God that he put in my mind and I just executed it. I wanna be able to build good humans and allow for the students to be able to feel what it’s like to change others’ lives. And I really believe that when we can come together as one and have this opportunity,” people can grow from it.
She said she hopes Friday’s event teachs students there’s more to life than themselves.
“I want them to know the world is big and even a small, kind gesture can change someone’s life,” she said.
Zolman said she was open to expanding the event in the future “and bringing awareness to all abilities so we can celebrate all abilities together.”