On Oct. 18, Overton Elementary PTA hosted a Fun Run on the Knox Middle track to raise money for Overton’s new STEM lab. The event raised $5,678.43 with the support of area businesses and students who asked their families and friends to pledge amounts.
The day started at 8 a.m. Each grade level came out separately to warm up, run 20 minutes, and then cool down with an ice pop. The kids had a lot of fun, the weather was perfect for the day’s events. Numerous families and friends came out to run with their students and show support for Overton Elementary.
One of the highlights of the day was the enthusiastic participation of some of Livingstone College’s track team. Overton’s Communities In Schools site coordinator invited them to run with and encourage students during the Fun Run. Many had already completed their required community service hours, not to mention that week was fall break for Livingstone students. Even so, Coach Justin Davis and track team members Daniel King, Justin Avery, Terry Anderson, Otis Tisdale, Zariyah Moss, Tynaya Walker and Quanera Hayes stayed all day and were great, positive role models for Overton students. They brought college awareness and lots of excitement to the track, and were the “best volunteers we’ve ever had at a Fun Run,” according to one PTA member.
Students set individual goals for number of laps they wanted to complete in 20 minutes, and the PTA awarded students Oct. 25. Classroom winners for the most laps were:
Kindergarten — Kevin Cruz-Alvardo, Trazelle Ward, Logan Jimenez, Kevin Keith, Sofia Martinez, Clear Wesley, Dorian Manzanares, Jaiden Brown and Diamond Redmond.
First grade — Daybrea Lambb, Hines Busby, Kyle O’Neill, Dora Foster and Jimmy Javis.
2nd Grade: Ezekiel Kotee, Jackson Sparger, Tyree Brown, Chord Coyle, Mya Edwards, and Briana King.
3rd Grade: Marcus Cinnirella, Yasmine Bush, Quentin Hippert, Luis Avilez, and Reed Brixey.
4th Grade: Damario Chalk, Steven Lescoe, Sophie Chmiel, Abby Campion, and Autumn Walser.
5th Grade: Gabe Bemus, Pryce Phillips, Ben Blumenthal, Vance Honeycutt, and Joshua Joyce.
The top classroom lap runner was Vance Honeycutt, who completed 12 laps. Sophie Chmiel, Abby Campion, and Autumn Walser tied for 2nd place with 10 laps. The top student fundraisers were: Lillian Rusher, Natalie Lusk, and Kyle O’Neill.
The Fun Run was a great success, thanks to the hard work of committee chair Kari Hippert and the rest of the wonderful PTA, the participation of Overton students, their families and the Livingstone Track Team, as well as the generous support of the following businesses: F & M Bank; Dr. Robert Metcalf (Metcalf Chiropractic Center); Caniche; Huffman Law Firm, P.A.; Salisbury Pediatric Associates, P.A.; Ramsay, Burgin & Smith Architects; Chef Santos; Fesperman Agency, Inc.; Fine Frame Gallery; Stella & Dot – Alice Rich, Independent Stylist; Salisbury Pediatric Dentistry.

Brandi Roby is Communities In Schools Site Coordinator at Overton Elementary. Communities In Schools of Rowan County is a United Way agency.