Special to Dorchester Banner
Students at Maple Elementary raced in the school’s annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 24. The event promotes health and fitness among the youngsters, and is attended by members of the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School cross country team, who help guide the runners along their course.[/caption] CAMBRIDGE — The hard-working and hard-running children of Maple Elementary School passed an important test on Nov. 24, when they completed their annual Turkey Trot. The races - a quarter mile for Pre-K and kindergarten, half a mile for first and second grades, and a full mile for third, fourth and fifth grades - not only promote health and fitness, but also raise money for the Maple Lion Fund. This year, the young athletes brought in $822 to benefit the school’s needy families, field trip support, uniforms and more. There were older students there too, lending a hand and being good examples to the youngsters. It was the fifth year in a row for the partnership established between MES and the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School cross country team. “It would have been impossible to do without the cross country students patrolling the course,” MES physical education teacher Ryan Daniels said in a prepared statement. “It was also the first year we have had prior Turkey Trot racers back as cross country team members,” adding that seven of the high schoolers were MES alumni. In all, 266 MES students ran, guided by 22 C-SD cross country athletes. Cambridge Emergency Medical Services also came out to support and make sure racers were safe, Mr. Daniels said. The fastest boy and girl in each grade received championship turkey trot medals, and the fastest boy and girl mile time received the traditional trot prize frozen turkeys. Winners were: 5th Grade - Jharell Hernandez-Antonio in 7:02 and Gizelle San. 4th Grade - Jayden Smith, Holly Jones 3rd Grade - Josiah Harris, Ty’Nasia Wongus 2nd Grade - Hayden Hudson, Ja’Niyah Stanley 1st Grade - Abdul Bumbrey Jr., Saniyah Kilgoe Kindergarten - Ky’Juan Molock, Syncere Jackson Pre-K a.m. - Zamir Savage and Damajana’ Sampson Pre K p.m. - Bradley Faulkner and Katie Handley Hannah Lewis is a senior at C-SD and has run on the cross country team for four years. She was at the finish line and said, “I’ve helped at the finish line for four years, and it’s been great to see the kids race. I’ve really enjoyed and looked forward to helping them.”