BES host Fun Run

On Saturday, April 30, Byhalia Elementary School hosted the “Get Ready to Run” One-Mile Fun Run, at the Byhalia Walking Trail Park. Forty BES K-4 students participated and finished the race. The third and fourth grade students started first and ran together. Next, the first and second grade students started and ran together. Then the kindergarten students ran the race. The ‘Fun Run’ was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS Foundation at no cost to BES or to the families of the runners. Each runner received a free race t-shirt and a finishers medal. BCBSMS also provided lesson plans for the students that helped to teach them about proper warm-up for running, good running form, proper pacing for distance runs, and proper cool down after running.

Everyone in attendance was treated to complimentary food and drink. Many thanks to the PTO President Glen Turner, David Meredith, the Backyard Motorcycle Club, and Powell Chapel #339 Mason Lodge members who donated and served hot dogs and chips to the runners and their family members. Willie Mitchell donated and served his delicious “shaved ice” cups. Marshall County Criminal Investigator, Kelly McMillen, provided bottled water for the group. The kindness and generosity helped make the Fun Run even more special for the BES runners and the Byhalia community.

C.B. McClatchy, BES physical education teacher, helped coordinate the event, along with the BES administrative team of Milony Jenkins, Julia Jackson, and Lorenzo Rogers. McClatchy said, "Our girls and boys really enjoyed our BES Fun Run. We expect even more students will want to participate next year and learn to enjoy running as a healthy, fitness activity. Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS Foundation for sponsoring our Fun Run. Thank you to the Town of Byhalia for the use of the Walking Trail Park, to our wonderful Byhalia PTO members and helpers, to the Byhalia High School Beta Club members and sponsor Jeanne Miller for helping with runner control, and to BES teachers Tameisha Howell, Brooklyn Arkoh, and Tokela Smith for their help with the Fun Run."