Mark Johnson/Raytown TribuneRunners from Norfleet Elementary carry the torch the final lap at the start of the closing ceremony for the Raytown School District’s 2008 Olympic Torch Run, which was Monday, May 5. A short time later, the student athletes who participated in the run took to the track.
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‘Torching’ the streets
Students participate in 2008 Torch Run
By Mark Johnson
Participants in the Raytown School District’s 2008 Olympic Torch Run took to the streets of the community Monday, May 5, and ended with a closing ceremony in Chittwood Stadium at Raytown High School.
At the closing ceremony, Maurice Mitchell, a senior at Raytown South High School and the fastest high school sprinter in the nation, spoke to the students, urging them to do their best.
“Don’t ever give up,” he said. “Don’t let anyone keep you from your dreams.”
Mitchell also stressed the importance of excelling in the classroom.
“You need to be a student first and an athlete second,” he said. “Study hard and listen to your teachers.”
Raytown Mayor David Bower congratulated the close to 150 students who were chosen to take part in the run.
“You represent your schools and the community proudly,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent Martha Cockerell, who noted the students were chosen for their citizenship as well as their athletic abilities, asked them to continue making good choices.
The students ran with their classmates earlier that day, carrying the torch from their school to the next school along the 25-mile route.
The students then returned to their own schools once the torch had been passed.
All the runners then gathered that afternoon, along with family and friends, in Chittwood Stadium for the closing ceremony, which included a parade of athletes as well as a presentation of the torch and Olympic flag.
The student athletes also took the Olympic oath and received medals for participating in the event.
District Activities Director Sara Stewart said it was the seventh Torch Run, which is held during Olympic ceremony years.
She said the genesis for the event dates back to 1996, when teachers and students watched Jim Ryan, a former world-class distance runner, carry the Olympic Torch in Kansas City.
“They came back very excited, wanting to do something,” Stewart said.
Raytown Editor Mark Johnson can be reached at 358-6397 or mjohnson@npgco.com.
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At the closing ceremony, Maurice Mitchell, a senior at Raytown South High School and the fastest high school sprinter in the nation, spoke to the students, urging them to do their best.
“Don’t ever give up,” he said. “Don’t let anyone keep you from your dreams.”
Mitchell also stressed the importance of excelling in the classroom.
“You need to be a student first and an athlete second,” he said. “Study hard and listen to your teachers.”
Raytown Mayor David Bower congratulated the close to 150 students who were chosen to take part in the run.
“You represent your schools and the community proudly,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent Martha Cockerell, who noted the students were chosen for their citizenship as well as their athletic abilities, asked them to continue making good choices.
The students ran with their classmates earlier that day, carrying the torch from their school to the next school along the 25-mile route.
The students then returned to their own schools once the torch had been passed.
All the runners then gathered that afternoon, along with family and friends, in Chittwood Stadium for the closing ceremony, which included a parade of athletes as well as a presentation of the torch and Olympic flag.
The student athletes also took the Olympic oath and received medals for participating in the event.
District Activities Director Sara Stewart said it was the seventh Torch Run, which is held during Olympic ceremony years.
She said the genesis for the event dates back to 1996, when teachers and students watched Jim Ryan, a former world-class distance runner, carry the Olympic Torch in Kansas City.
“They came back very excited, wanting to do something,” Stewart said.
Raytown Editor Mark Johnson can be reached at 358-6397 or mjohnson@npgco.com.