Lilly Grant Leads To Championship For Harrison Elementary Teacher
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Unlike Cinderella, Ethel Ringle didn't wait for her dream to come true - she worked toward it.
And after all her perseverance, she was named the United States Canoe and Kayak Association Indiana Division Sea Kayak Woman State Champion for 2007. The honor was bestowed upon her at an awards ceremony Nov. 3 in Culver.In February, Ringle, a Harrison Elementary School teacher, received a Teacher Creativity Fellowship from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Of the 780 that applied this year, 129 Indiana school employees were selected to receive the fellowships. The program enables teachers, principals, guidance counselors and school librarians from the state to take time to pursue their personal interests, explore subjects that interest them, or just get away, according to a previous press release from Lilly Endowment Inc.
With her fellowship, Ringle bought new kayaking gear, and computer equipment to start a blog of her kayaking adventures.
"Lily really provides excellent experiences for teachers," said Ringle in an interview Nov. 16, "and I'm really grateful for that experience. They provide a chance to do things we normally wouldn't get to do."
Ringle said there were a series of kayaking races throughout the state. For every race Ringle participated in, she received points based on where she placed in the races. In 2006, Ringle was ranked 15th in the state in kayaking. This year, she said she got enough points to win first place.
Ringle said she participated in at least 10 races for points - and also in some races not for points - this past racing season. Among places she kayaked were Wildcat Creek, Crawfordsville; The Great Race, Elkhart; and The Bristol Bridge to Bridge. She also raced on Lafayette, Tippy and Wabash rivers.
Nationals were held in Warren, Pa., Aug. 8-12, with the last race of the season being the St. Joe River Marathon in Mishawaka Sept. 15. Ringle won first place there.
During the racing season, Ringle kept track of her points. "I was just really excited and made sure I went to every race so I could stay in first place," she said.
Ringle didn't just get a trophy and a title for all her hard work. She also learned a little along the way.
"I guess I just learned a lot about determination and perseverance and to keep trying no matter how hard it is," she said.
She's already looking toward next year when she hopes to keep her name on the state trophy, and, "I hope to come home with a national championship trophy," she said.
