Young students keep their pace up during the Oct. 5 Prairie City School jog-a-thon.

Blue Mountain Eagle

Dozens of Prairie City School elementary students and preschoolers ran to the beat of energetic music during their Oct. 5 jog-a-thon fundraiser.

It was a healthy way to raise money for the parent teacher association.

Students collected flat donations or pledges “per lap” from local residents prior to the event, then ran laps around the school gym.

The kids dressed up in workout clothing for Spirit Week, and the Panther mascot, as well as cheerleader Ariana Ceja, shared high fives as the students jogged by them.

The event raised $1,244, with pledge money still to be collected.

Lindsay Rausch, who was voted parent teacher association president last Wednesday, said the jog-a-thon was a collective effort, with association members, parent volunteers, teachers, staff and others involved.

She credits Jenny Shaw, the former parent teacher association co-president, with inspiration for the event.

“We are all really excited and overwhelmed by the success and support of our students and the patrons who made pledges,” Rausch said.

She said one preschooler collected $150 from donors.

“It’s by far our most successful single fundraiser since I’ve been involved in PTA for the last seven years,” she said. “We couldn’t be more proud of all our kids, preschool through sixth grade, who ran or walked the whole time.”

Rausch said she was especially impressed seeing older students helping younger students at the event, and encouraging them to continue.

“These kinds of multi-age activities are a big part of what we love about our small school,” she said. “It was a very positive, healthy, fun event, and we can’t wait for next year.”