Category: Communities

Superintendent Stubblefield races students for fun and fitness

Runners crossed Leavenworth Road and headed into the Washington High School stadium near the end of the Are You Faster than a Fifth Grader two-mile run on Friday. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Kansas City, Kansas, school district’s annual Are You Faster than a 5th Grader race took place Friday morning.

“Everybody does their best to whoop our superintendent,” is how the event was described by Tom Lawlor, music teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary.

Four hundred fifth-graders took superintendent Anna Stubblefield’s challenge to run or walk two miles from Kansas City Kansas Community College to Washington High School, and 201 beat the superintendent to the finish line on the Washington track.

Two of Lawlor’s students, Ximena and Angie, were among the top 15 girls’ finishers. After the race, they talked about how much training they had to do to get ready.

“We had to stretch and practice a lot,” Ximena said. “Two times a week and then this week we practiced four days a week.”

Many participants were new to running, but found they enjoyed it.

“This is my first race,” Angie said, “I guess I’m going to take track now.”

Fifth-graders from Eugene Ware Elementary posed together after the race with teacher Tom Lawlor. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Superintendent Anna Stubblefield got congratulations as she crossed the finish line. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Runners crossed the finish line on the Washington High School track. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Runners crossed the finish line on the Washington High School track. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Students and teachers made the two-mile run together. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Runners crossed the finish line on the Washington High School track. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Music played and students danced in the stands after the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Racers packed the stands at Washington High School after the race. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Superintendent Anna Stubblefield posed together with the top boys’ finishers. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Superintendent Anna Stubblefield posed together with the top girls’ finishers. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Saturday events

Festival and horse ride planned today on Central Avenue

A Cinco de Mayo La Placita Festival and Horse Ride is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Bethany Park, 11th and Central.

The event will be at 1120 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. The event is sponsored by the Central Avenue Betterment Association and 7 Leguas Charro Store.

There will be vendors at La Placita, plus food, live music and Charro Dancing Horses Show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The horse ride will start at Kansas Avenue and Thorn Drive and will travel east along the river side following the levee trail to Kansas Avenue Bridge, then on Kansas Avenue to 10th Street north until Central Avenue, then west to 12th Street, then to the back of Bethany Park.

Live music begins at 11 a.m. at Bethany Park.

Alcott plans Maker Faire Saturday

The Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St. , plans a Maker Faire from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

Makers and crafters will show their handmade products at craft tables.

For more information, see www.alcottartscenter.org and https://www.facebook.com/events/2770334836596435/2770853693211216/.

Send information about events happening in Wyandotte County to maryr@g3f.1db.myftpupload.com.