Down and Dirty

On Sat., Mar. 7 Mr. Roger Reetz, Gulf Shores Middle School (GSMS) 7^th grade math teacher, rode with many of his students on his annual Bike-A-Thon. It is an annual event that Mr. Reetz started about eight years ago to help fund the purchase of supplies and technology for his classes. About 20 students participated in the event this year.

 The students met at the Middle School at 9:30 a.m. and returned at 2:30 p.m. The students spent about five hours bike riding. Several parents and snowbirds helped out with the event and Kevin Lanford, a Battalion Chief with Orange Beach Fire Dept. and Officer Lee Limbaughm from Orange Beach Police Dept., helped guide the students through the trails.

Each student had to gain a minimum of eight pledges to take part in the Bike-A-Thon. Mr. Reetz gave away prizes to the students based on how much money they raised. Many prizes were given away, but the grand prize was a Specialized Mountain Bike, which was given to the 1^st place winner, Logan Whitehead.

The PTSO provided lunch for the students, which was hosted at Orange Beach Police Department. They enjoyed a lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips and sports drinks, and Mrs. Robin Nelson baked brownies, which Mr. Reetz said were "Awesome!". Other parents helped out as well.

Mallory Stevens, 7th, said, "This was my first year riding in the Bike-A-Thon and I had a blast! It made me feel so much better riding 20 miles and when I got hot I would just fall in the mud puddle." Another Bike-A-Thon participant, David Nelson, 7th, said, "I had so much fun and it was great exercise, I will definitely be riding next year."

This year's Bike-A-Thon was a great success and was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. Mr. Reetz said, "I had a great time at this year's Bike-A-Thon, the new killer mud hole turned out to be a real challenge for the students and I can't wait for next year's event."  The Bike-A-Thon was an awesome event for the students and everyone had a blast. We couldn't have done it without the parents and Orange Beach employees, and snow birds that helped out.

By: Sarahbeth Loper; 7^th

Brygette Townley plays around after getting through the mud.
Photo By: Roger Reetz

MaKenna Hermecz crashes in the mud pit.
Photo By: Roger Reetz
 

Lee Michael McVay goes through the mud pit at the 2009 Bike-A-Thon.
Photo By: Roger Reetz

From left to right: Conrad Reetz, Mallory Stevens, MaKenna Hermecz, Lee Michael McVay,
and David Nelson are some of the students that went on the annual Bike-A-Thon.
Photo By: Roger Reetz