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Show Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID GUNNISON VALLEY Permit No. 11 Gunmson, UT Utah Press Association 1521 E. 3900 S. Suite 100 Salt Lake City, UT84124 Copy Price • 75 cents Thursday, September 7, 2006 Volume 2 • Number 36 Peddling for a purpose by MARK HENLINE Editor Gunnison resident, Jim Smith, has recently returned from participating in his second Livestrong Challenge. The Livestrong Challenge is a bike race started several years ago by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help raise money for fighting cancer and cancer awareness. Riders are asked to collect money pledges from friends and associates to be donated to the foundation as part of the ride. Last year the ride in Austin, Texas, where Lance Armstrong is from, raised over $7,000,000. - Over the years the popularity of the race has continued to grow. This year the Livestrong Challenge has expanded to five cities across the country. Smith decided that this j'ear he would take part in the race held in Denver on August 20th. Smith's excitement for the event inspired others to participate with him. Linda McArther and Leslie Roberts, both of Manti and both instructors with Smith at the Central Utah Correctional Facility, Mike Parsons of Gunnison, a dentist at CUCF and Smith's three sons, Sam, Brian and Rodger all joined Smith in the ride. As Smith collected pledges for the race, he had those donating sign the jersey he would wear in the race. Those who sign either sign their own name or the name of a loved one or friend who has cancer or has died of cancer. The jersey has so many names that it is hard to see them all. The Zara Faatz Family, Phyllis Greener (44 year survivor), Elizabeth Jensen, Cindy Judd, Carla Grimshaw, Beverly Montague, Michelle Ashton, Carol Oakey, Shirley Willardson (11 year survivor) and Gloria Worthington are just some of the names from the valley. Smith says the reason he -is so passionate about fighting cancer is because it's an awful disease that has affected him personally and many other people that he has known and loved. Smith himself is a cancer survivor, as the scar on the back of his neck will show. He also just lost his father this past year to cancer. The Denver Livestrong Challenge is a grueling ride according to Smith. You can choose to ride 40, 70 or 100 miles. On the 100 mile course, which Smith rode, there is a 9000 feet elevation gain during the ride. r enlinc/(iimnisoit Valley liazette Gunnison High School's student body officers Ryan Williams, Taylor Ashton, McKeisha Hcrmansen. Sarah Southwick, Michael Oliver and advisor Melissa Judy plan the homecoming activities. Student up for Jim Smith with his signed jersey he wore in the Livestrong Challenge. The riders started out strong, but there were many challenges along the way. Linda McAurther, who had trained hard for the race, had a bad wreck coming down Lookout Mountain and had to drop out. She has since had to have her shoulder socket replaced. According to Smith, it was very emotional as she encouraged her friend and training partner, Leslie Roberts to finish the race. Linda is not only a friend and co-worker, she is Leslie's aunt. Smith also ran into problems. With only 20 miles left to go, one of the bike's cranks broke off. So Smith started peddling with only one leg. He did this for 8 miles. The bicycle seal post then cracked and bent forward. He somehow kept going and two miles later, the other crank fell off. Smith said he looked at all the names on his jersey and realized how many people were supporting him and he knew that he had to finish the race. (Smith eventually walked his bike across the finish line with his seat and cranks in hand. Smith's son. Sum also put forth great effort to finish. Last year he was in a car accident that should have ended his life. His femur bone was snapped in half. He now has a stool rod in his log to help support the femur. Ue was able to cross the finish line with his father. Smith recalls the worst pain for him was that he forgot to put sunblock on hi* legs and he's paid the price for weeks. This year's challenge raised $1,200,000 for cancel-. Smith continues to ride nearly everyday. He and his good friend. Boh Judd ride IX miles each morning beginning at the early hour of 5:oO. Smith and Judd also rode last week in the 200 mile Desperado Dual in Panguitch. They said they did it for the cool hat they got at the finish line. Smith is grateful for all those who supported him in the Livestrong Challenge and he says he is looking forward to next vear's race. umtison Valley tntzctte Elections were recently held at the Gunnison Valley Middle School for the sixth grade officers. Preston Judy was elected President with Travis Carlisle as Vice President, Morgan Overly as Secretary, Tiffany Bown as Reporter, Katelyn Bown as Activity Directory and Brianna Starks as Activity Director. t I ear Week at GVHS "Groovin' All Week With You" is the theme for this year's Homecoming Week. SBO Advisor Melissa Judy has been working with the student officers to plan a fun and exciting week filled with activities for everyone. The activities start off on Monday, September llih with the students dressing up as Grooving Super Hero's. The Royally Assembly will he held at 10 a.m. Students will vote alter the assembly and the winners will The Cross Country Team has a meet in Gunnison. Thursday is the day to dress up as your favorite faculty member. -JV football will play at Heaver and the Tennis Team will play at Richfield. Friday will he Bulldog Pride Day. Make sure you wear your school attire or school colors. The Homecoming Parade will be held at 1 p.m. It goes from 2nd North to 2nd South down Main Street. A Tailgate be announced at 2:55. Windows all over town will be painted on Monday and there will be a Door Decorating Competition held with a cash award for the winner. There will be a Bulldog Blue Paw Award this year. Students can come to school with their hands painted blue. The students who do this all week will have their names put in a drawing for a $50 cash award. On Tuesday it is Tve Dye Shirt Day. You can lye dye your shirt on Monday after school (outside the seminary building). Also on Tuesday, there will bo a volleyball game at South Sevier and the Tennis Team will play Manti on their home court. Wednesday will be 50's Attire Day. A Manly Man Volleyball game will be played during 6th period and a movie will he shown on the football field at S p.m. Party/Carnival will be held on the football Held at 5:30. Kveryone is invited! Come out and get involved in a pie throwing contest, zip line, dunk tank, human foosball. giant Twister and more. There will be hamburgers, chips and drinks. At 7 p.m. the Bulldogs will play host to the American Leadership Academy. Come out and show your support for our Bulldogs! On Saturday, the Homecoining Dance will begin at 9:30 and will go until 11:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person or $10 per couple. Pictures are $10 for two SxlO's and eight wallets. Make sure your dress in nice Sunday attire when coming to the dance. The student body officers have worked hard to plan a fun filled week of activities. Plan on coming out and supporting our school and cheering on our teams! Go Bulldogs! |