"Get ready for power," says St. Ignace kindergarten student Jackson Ingalls (front, left) as he rushes up to help Monique Engle push Maizey Brown in their classroom sled. Chloe Convey (front right) also tries to assist in an effort to get the cardboard box moving. The group had more enthusiasm than the box had sliding ability. Little progress was made, although they enjoyed the challenge Wednesday, March 4, during the annual Snow Daze celebration at the school. Watching the endeavor are (from left, back row) Jayde Fraser, Victoria Litzner, Benj North, teacher Nicki Lee, and volunteer Mike North.

Standing at the top of the sledding hill at St. Ignace Area Schools, classmates strategized on moves needed to win the downhill distance race with their classroom sleds made of cardboard and duct tape. On the other side of the hill, dubbed "Mt. LaSalle," students laughed and giggled as they took turns riding plastic sleds and taking on the mini-mogul snow mound, hoping to get a little bit of air between their sleds and the snow.

 

Day-long Snow Daze activities inside and outside the school were organized by community volunteers, parents, family members, and school staff Wednesday, March 4. Although Snow Daze is usually held in February, an unexpected thaw then caused the annual event to be postponed until last week.

Mustering all of his strength, St. Ignace second grade student Hunter DeKeyser races through the course pulling Kylee Horn on the sled during a relay race Wednesday, March 4, during the annual Snow Daze celebration at the school. Classmates, teachers, and volunteers offer shouts of encouragement as they cheer on the team.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade participated in activities that promoted sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship, individual challenges, and winter fun.

 

Kathy Campbell and Angie Ostman have organized the event for three years with the help of 35 volunteers, who planned, pre- pared, and helped with the activities.

"We could not do a day like this without people helping," said Mrs. Ostman.

Mrs. Campbell agreed. The event also gives parents and grandparents the opportunity to spend a fun day at school with students and teachers.

Eighth grade student Sarah Cullip gives Brooklyn Chambers a push down one of the sledding hills in a class sledding competition Wednesday, March 4. Using cardboard and duct tape, each classroom constructed a sled that was judged on creativity and distance traveled. Students watching and hoping to earn a top distance prize are (from left) Rachel Shampine, Molly Sweeney, teacher Pat Chargo, Dorothy Chargo, Molly Paquin, Elizabeth Coolbaugh, Billy Bentgen, and Taylor Styes.

Since January, students have watched a snow pile grow in the school parking lot as volunteer Wade Huskey piled snow up to 26 feet high to construct Mt. LaSalle. The use of heavy equipment and fuel were donated for the project. The snow mound has settled a bit, said Mr. Huskey, who estimates students were climbing about 20 feet up the hill Wednesday to slide down on one of three trails.

 

"I just do it because I like doing it," he said, "I'd rather see kids do something outside than inside."

Miniature pony Strawberry Shortcake gets a lot of attention from eighth grade students during Snow Daze events at St. Ignace Middle School and Elementary School Wednesday, March 4. The five-year-old horse is owned by fifth grade student Abigail Ostman. Pictured (from left) are students Kurt King, Spencer Crystal, Richard Bentley, Shelby Litzner, Samantha Gugin, Marina Brown, Sophie Peters, Kayla Ray, and Zack Major.

The work and time contributed by volunteers has not gone unnoticed by students.

 

"It's really nice all these people have come out here to help put this all together and let us have fun," said Jenny Campbell, a fourth grade student.

Near the Middle School entrance Wednesday morning, students cheered on classmates in the sled relay event. The racing challenge pitted classrooms against one another, with students taking turns pulling a sled and riding. On the Elementary School playground, a soccer relay also proved to be a fun contest in the snow.

"I think it is fantastic," said fourth grade student Taylor St. Onge of the day's events.

Still bundled up from taking part in outdoor snow events Wednesday, March 4, kindergarten students Brennan Kaseman (from left), Victoria Litzner, and Ayla Kilponen patiently await their turn for a cup of hot chocolate.

"It's fun being with friends," said classmate Callie Kammers.

 

Emilee Downs, also in the fourth grade, agreed.

"We get to spend time with our friends and teacher," she said.

Behind the school, the pace slowed as students strapped on snowshoes, some for the first time. Single-file, they hiked along a trail through the woods, spotting animal tracks in the fresh, deep snow.

Lisa Winkelman, a parent volunteer, has overseen the activity for the last three years. Middle School and LaSalle High School students also volunteer to help younger hikers strap the snowshoes onto their boots. Students get about a 15-minute snowshoe experience.

"They see animal tracks and they think it is pretty fun," said Mrs. Winkelman. "The new snowfall really helped."

Seventh grade students William Miller and Jacob Sjogren snowshoed last year and enjoyed the experience again Wednesday. The snow was deep, they said, and the woods nice and peaceful.

Tyler Snyder (front) and Chase Dekeyser, seventh grade students at St. Ignace Middle School, take their turn at a snowshoe hike through the woods behind the school. Students spotted animal tracks and enjoyed the fresh snow that blanketed the forest floor Wednesday, March 4, during Snow Daze celebrations. Also pictured are student volunteer LaSalle High School senior Frankie Beaudoin and parent volunteer Lisa Winkelman.

Inside the school, hot chocolate, crafts, and treats were available as students rotated from one event to another on a planned schedule for each class.

 

Fifth grade student Abigail Ostman brought her miniature pony, Strawberry Shortcake, and Mackinac County animal control officer Wendy Frosland brought her dogs and was available to talk with students about her job and about animal care. Mackinac Animal Aid Association offered contests for students and held a fundraiser with teachers.

By the end of the day, the classroom sled contest winners were announced. In the Elementary School, Patrice Mackin's fourth grade class went the farthest down the hill, and in the Middle School, Elaine MacDonald's fifth grade won the contest. The two classrooms earned a pizza party for their efforts.

Fourth grade friends Emilee Downs (from left), Taylor St. Onge, Callie Kammers, and Jenny Campbell head to the school for a cup of hot chocolate after sliding down the snow hill Wednesday, March 4, during Snow Daze events.

Classrooms with the most creative sleds will receive a popcorn party. In the Elementary School, Marcia Bishop's first grade class sled had a specially designed slanted front. In the Middle School, Mandi Johnson's sixth grade class crafted a boat decorated with a fish at the helm.