Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE Sept. 21, 2017
The weather was perfect on Thursday morning as over 300 staff and students at Pontiac High School (PHS) gathered for the annual Terry Fox Run.
The Proclaimers’ famous song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” blared from the speakers as everyone filed into the gym to get their marching orders and an update on the fundraising effort.
Tara Fitzpatrick, who organized the event with her leadership class, spoke about how cancer affects everyone and efforts like the Terry Fox Run play a key part in finding a cure.

Fitzpatrick announced that one student, Nathan Kluke, had blown everyone’s fundraising totals away and had singlehandedly brought in a jaw-dropping $1,045.78. He was awarded a t-shirt for his efforts.
The students all lined up in the parking lot with a pack of cyclists in front, runners behind them and the contingent of walkers in the back. A few skateboards and roller blades could also be seen scattered throughout the crowd. John Petty and Rick Valin, who organize the community Terry Fox Run, gave the official starting countdown.
A barbecue awaited the runners once they returned to PHS and it brought in over $750. Fitzpatrick was very thankful for all the local businesses that had donated to the cause. A second barbecue was held the next day as students faced off in a softball tournament.
At the time of print, the school had raised $3,452.78 for the Terry Fox Foundation and they will continue to collect donations until Sept. 30.