Students from Fort Saskatchewan High can add cycling to their list of skill sets thanks to the school's recent bike-a-thon, which took place March 10-11, to raise money for children with cancer.
Since the beginning of February, students have been busy raising awareness about the school's Spinning for Smiles Bike-A-Thon, fundraising, and putting their teams together. On March 10, each team was given a 12 foot by 12 foot living room space complete with one stationary bike and any items students chose to bring into their room with them couches, air mattress, televisions, Xboxes, and even fridges. The only rule: the stationary bike had to be spinning for the entire 24 hours.
"This was such a great event to have our students be a part of and they have all worked so hard," says Jeff Spady, the principal of Fort Saskatchewan High. "They started pedaling at 2 p.m. on Thursday and didn't stop until 2 p.m. the next day. It's these kinds of opportunities, community-based learning opportunities, we are always trying to take advantage of and include our students in."
In total, the school raised more than $32,600 for the Smiles for Spencer Foundation, which was founded in 2010 by a Fort Saskatchewan couple, Tyson and Janna Turner, after they lost their son, Spencer, to cancer when he was in Grade 6. The Smiles for Spencer Foundation will be donating all the money collected by Fort Saskatchewan High to the Kids with Cancer Society.
"Many of the students who participated in the bike-a-thon went to school with Spencer, or knew him," says Spady. "I'm so proud of our students, staff, and community for the determination, grit, and energy they showed. Our hope, long term, is to make this an annual event for our students and school."
Throughout the 24-hour event, students were also treated to an array of student talent including performances by the Fort High School Musical Theatre, the school's jazz band, and Kory Wlos, who is a teacher at the school and also performs as a country music artist. Overall, the event was a huge success and of all of us at Fort Saskatchewan High are looking forward to it returning again next year.
