The 100-Mile Club, Blessing of the Colors, and Kindness Matters Walkathon: The Chalkboard
STAUNTON — Drive by McSwain Elementary School before or after the academic day and you might see a group of kids running or walking around the field next to the school. It's part of the school's 100-Mile Club, a national program that has been in Staunton for a number of years.
Two mornings a week students can show up to run or walk for 30 minutes beginning at 7 a.m.
"They're just super into their mileage and trying to accomplish their goals," said one of the parent organizers, Elizabeth Shreckhise. "But I also think it sets a great tone for the day for them, just being able to run before they go into school for the day.
Students can also take part two afternoons a week as soon as school lets out for the day. The goal is for students to reach 100 miles for the year. They'll get a t-shirt at 25 miles, along with prizes at 50 and 75 miles. A medal goes to those who reach 100 miles, with awards presented at an end-of-year ceremony. Students can also sign up for a 5K and earn miles for the club.
"A lot of them walk," Shreckhise said. "It's just a way to get kids more time outside, active."
While not all students will keep running, or at least running competitively, after elementary school, many of the McSwain students end up joining the Shelburne Middle School cross country team.
"100-Mile Club made me a stronger runner, and now I love cross country," said Ford Cundy, now a sixth-grader at Shelburne.
Shreckise, who has a son at McSwain now, also has a son in middle school. Mason Shreckhise has told his mom he probably would have never been interested in cross country if not for the elementary running program.
"I would never be the runner that I am now without 100-Mile Club," he said. "It really got me into running and made me love it."
There are 160 students signed up for the program at McSwain, but Shreckhise said it's rare that all are there at the same time. Mornings the program usually has between 30 to 50 students. It's closer to 100 in the afternoon.
Once a month, the program offers a fun run, offering a treat to participants or having a theme for that run. Those are the days that most runners show up. More runners also take part once they see the first t-shirt given out to 25-mile runners.
McSwain is the only elementary school in Staunton currently participating in 100-Mile Club.
"100 Mile Club is a fun running club where you can talk with your friends but also enjoy running," said Sebastian Renne, now a sixth-grader at Shelburne.
The program is held throughout the school year, but temperatures have to be above 32 degrees. Last week the group canceled an afternoon run because of the heat. Snow on the field or a rainy day will also force a day of running to be canceled.
"100 Mile Club made me a stronger runner," said Silas Cantwell, part of the Shelburne cross country team. "And now I enjoy running a lot more."
Valley Music Academy concert
WAYNESBORO — The Valley Music Academy will present a free concert at the bandshell at Waynesboro’s Constitution Park on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 3:30-6pm. A Musical Celebration will showcase both faculty and students of the non-profit music school, which has served the Shenandoah Valley since 2001.
Student ensembles will be featured alongside faculty artists like guitarist John Clark, who has served on the faculty of VMA since 2015 and has been teaching for nearly five decades. Clark is a highly sought performer locally and has performed with various jazz, rock and R&B groups in New York and throughout New England, and performs regularly throughout the region with his group Johnny's Blue Locomotive, featuring fellow faculty members.
The concert will begin at 3:30 p.m. with a variety of student performances, followed by presentations by VMA’s student rock band ensembles and a guitar ensemble. The concert is free and family friendly. There is a suggested $5 donation, with all proceeds going towards VMA’s scholarship fund that provides access to high-quality music education for children throughout Waynesboro and the surrounding areas.
“Outreach events like this one offer our community an opportunity to enjoy the talents of our remarkable faculty and appreciate the dedication of our students,” said VMA’s Program Director Kelsey Swecker. “We believe everyone in our community should have the opportunity to take part in not only music education but music making.”
More information visit the event's Facebook page.
Blessing of the Colors
WAYNESBORO — Fishburne Military School will hold the Blessing of the Colors ceremony in the Hitt-Millar Fieldhouse on Friday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. The cermony blesses the flags of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, FMS, and Augusta Military Academy.
The Blessing of the Colors originates from the days when combat was conducted at close quarters and was necessary for soldiers to determine where their regiment was located during the heat of battle, according to a release from the school. This was done by the regiment carrying its colors into the fight. The colors are a set of large flags, unique to each regiment, that the ordinary Soldier could identify immediately. As time passed, the colors took on a more mystical significance than mere identifying markers on the battlefield.
"This is why they are escorted and guarded whenever the colors are paraded," the release said. "Because of the high casualty rate among the members of the color party, plus the advent of modern weapons, the time-honored practice of carrying the colors into battle was discontinued."
Fishburne said that the national and organizational colors still join their units in formations and ceremonies to signify past accomplishments and present and future hopes. FMS carries forth this honoring of the colors in the Blessing of the Colors annual ceremony in the generously donated Hitt-Millar Fieldhouse at FMS.
This year, the blessing will be officiated by Paul Mark Simpson of Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University with guest speaker BG William W. Alexander, Jr. (VA), a retired superintendent of FMS. This event is open to the public and FMS encourages the community to support its cadets throughout this academic year.
Kindness Matters Walkathon
STAUNTON — Staunton City Schools invites parents, students and community members to join its first-ever Kindness Matters Walkathon from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Staunton High School track.
The event is a celebration of the Staunton Kindness Challenge, a campaign started in 2021 to spread goodwill, good deeds and good vibes in schools and the community during the pandemic. It’s also a fundraiser for The Kindness Fund, which supports kindness initiatives throughout the division as well as students and families in need.
For the 2023-24 school year, SCS is focusing on kindness to self, others and the planet during its Kindness Matters campaign with the theme “Kindness Grows Here.”
“The walkathon is an activity that encourages kindness to self and the planet by supporting good health and getting outside to enjoy the outdoors,” said Garett Smith, superintendent of Staunton City Schools, in a press release. “It’s also the kickoff to our Kindness Week, Oct. 2-6. We hope our families, community partners and all those who believe in spreading kindness will join us for this exciting event.”
Registration is $25 per adult and includes a Kindness Matters bag, wristband, yard sign and t-shirt. Children are admitted free. Registrants sign up to walk for the school of their choice, and the school with the most laps logged per capita gets a special trophy to display all year long.
The event will also include the following family-friendly activities:
Rev Your Bev and Grow Yourself Snack Stations: Build your own healthy snack and make fruit waters with the SCS Nutrition Services team. Participants will receive a color-changing cup for their participation.
Kindness Craft Station: Make art, notes and crafty gifts for public servants, family and friends with the YMCA Youth Volunteer Corps.
Grow Pod Giveaway: Participants can pick up a free grow pod to start seedlings indoors for their home vegetable garden from Ware Elementary School's Environmental Club.
Staunton City Schools is seeking local business sponsorships to support the Walkathon and Kindness Week Oct. 2-6 with prize giveaways.
YART sale
STAUNTON — The Beverly Street Studio School in Staunton is having a “YART” Sale Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m until 1 p.m. to help raise funds for our school.
BSSS, a non-profit art school offering professional classes and workshops for adults, is always looking to work with the community through its gallery, school and trips. There is an Italy trip right now led by Sara James.
Bring any art-related items or supplies (including art books) to contribute to the BSSS office Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. or drop things in the hall outside the office or studios at 217 W. Beverly St.
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: The 100-Mile Club, Blessing of the Colors, and Kindness Matters Walkathon: The Chalkboard
