Heart BEAT

Back To The Mountain!

WAITSBURG - Rebecca Wilson and others at Waitsburg Elementary are working hard to bring back Ski Bluewood lessons for the fifth grade class for next school year.

"I just decided to go ahead and go for it," Wilson said.

She teaches music and fitness at the elementary school and has been a ski coach for Special Olympics.

"I can see how much that program is valued for students," Wilson said.

Pam Conover organized the fundraisers and the ski program for about four years at the elementary school when she was still teaching. She retired two years ago.

And for the past two years, no one had stepped up to get the kids back on the mountain. This year, the fifth grade class did raise money and take ice skating lessons at the YWCA Ice Chalet in Walla Walla.

For the ski lessons, the fifth grade class would raise money for the lessons. Usually in January, the class would spend four full days, once a week, at lessons on the mountain. Parents were able to ski with their kids, too.

Wilson and Conover said getting the kids out of the classroom and teaching them a new skill that doesn't include reading, writing or math really evens the playing field. Kids who may not shine in the classroom can do so on the mountain.

"We have a wonderful opportunity," Wilson said.

The Ski Bluewood owners like the education aspect and even come to the school to fit kids for their helmets and ski boots.

Wilson likes that it teaches kids a physical activity they can really get into.

"It's something they can do for a lifetime," she said .

Wilson has the first fundraiser to resurrect the ski program scheduled for 9 a.m., June 2, at the Waitsburg High School track. It will be a 5K fun run and walk that will take runners and walkers up Wilson Hollow Road and back to the track.

"It's a great event for people who like to do 5Ks," Wilson said.

Adults will cost $20 to participate and children under 14 will cost $15. Those who don't want tshirts can run or walk for $10 or $5 for kids. A family rate is offered for $30.

And for those who really want to help this fundraiser, Wilson is taking sponsors, starting at $50, who will get their business logo on the back of the shirts for the fun run.

Wilson said she is working hard trying to get all of the details for this fundraiser together because there's a lot to organize.

"I'm taking one step at a time," Wilson said.

Parents will also play a huge part in helping out with the fundraiser. Wilson said she may have to do another fundraiser next fall if they don't raise enough on June 2.

"I' m excited that they're going to bring it back," Conover said of the ski lessons.

Conover said the ski lessons and fundraisers are really helpful in bringing the parents together.

We live in a small community but not everyone knows everyone, she said.

"That gives the families a network," Conover said. "And that's so important as a parent."

Conover also loved seeing the community members step up and open their pocketbooks for the kids. And the kids learned how to write quality thank-you letters, she added.

There's lots of money to be raised. It costs about $170 per student for the lessons lift tickets and rentals, so they'll aim to raise about $3,000, Conover said.

The parents will pay some and they hope to raise the rest so the kids can learn this new skill.

" Watching kids become successful and putting a smile on their faces (is wonderful)," Conover said.

To donate to the ski lessons or participate in the fun run, call Wilson at Waitsburg Elementary at 509-337-6461.