Braelinn Elementary students running to Ground Zero

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Coach Ed Craver teaches physical education at Braelinn Elementary School. He likes to see students being active during gym class and during recess. Up until a few weeks ago there were too many kids sitting out of games during recess and just hanging around. Now, they are running with a purpose and a set destination in mind: Ground Zero in New York City.

The project is not a fundraiser but a way for the students to show their support for those affected by the tragedy. Recess lasts 20 minutes and students who wish to participate can walk or run one lap or as many as they can in the period in an attempt to get the school's total up to 855 miles, the estimated distance from the school to Ground Zero.

The students at Braelinn have responded to the challenge. In the first week of the project, there have been 58 students who have run one or more laps around the basketball court. Fifteen laps around the court equal one mile and so far the students have run 184 miles. The project is scheduled to last until Memorial Day, but Craver believes that at the current pace, they will reach their goal well before that time.

"I think it is good for them and good for morale," said Craver. "It's a way to affect the students thought process and keep them active." He hopes to continue the project in the future, determining a location to run to and learn about along the way.

Craver also leads a lacrosse club that meets Sundays at Braelinn Elementary from 2-4 p.m. The club has met for two years and anybody is invited to come out and learn about the sport. For more information, phone 770-486-8616.

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