Racing for a Cause
Storm Stomp takes on a new look for fundraiser.
PHOTO | Le Flambeau
Science teachers Amy Vandenbrul and Kaci Flippo along with former science teacher Erin Paterson compete in last year’s Storm Stomp three-on-three basketball tournament. This year, Storm Stomp will be a 5k race held on April 18.
UPDATE: March 25
Due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s Storm Stomp was canceled, according to committee co-chair senior Stephanie Vince. All funding raised for the 5k race will go toward next year’s event.
This cancellation follows the dismissal of in-person classes until April 24 to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Students began the transition to online classes Tuesday, March 24.
Storm Stomp Committee is planning a 5k to raise money for scholarships April 18.
Previously, Storm Stomp was a three-on-three basketball tournament. The committee decided to make the change this year in order to have a more engaging experience for the Sion community and beyond, according to Alumnae and Constituent Relations Manager Erin Markowitz.
“When they thought through this at the end of last year, they wanted something that was more encompassing of the greater Sion community, meaning not only the high school but also the grade school,” Markowitz said. “It’s a great way to bring people to campus from the surrounding areas and even could be a recruiting opportunity.”
To participate in the run, students must pay a sign-up fee. Between March 1-31, the fee is $35 for the 5k race, $20 for the carnival run, and $25 for the high school carnival run. After April 1, the 5k fee will rise to $40. The 5k is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and is chip timed. There will also be two carnival fun runs, one for ages four through 12 at 9 a.m. and one for the high school students at 11 a.m. There is also an option to volunteer, in which the sign-up fee will be waived. Those who choose to participate in the run will receive a t-shirt and there will also be a pancake breakfast.
“I am super excited to see how the event comes together,” Storm Stomp committee co-chair senior Allie Dierks said. “Changing the whole event has been a lot of work and a lot of new things, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
All money raised from Storm Stomp will go towards scholarship funds for students. So far, the committee has raised around $20,000 from sponsorships and those who have already signed-up, and as more people sign up the more funds they hope to raise for future scholarships, according to Markowitz.
“About half of the proceeds go to the immediate needs and the other half is put into the endowments so that there is always some for later,” Markowitz said. “We’re already on trend for how much we are typically able to raise.”
There is no deadline to sign-up, so the event is accomodating for last-minute schedule changes and plans. Storm Stomp will provide all participants with a day full of fun, while also raising funds for a great cause, according to Storm Stomp committee member sophomore Sophia Ong.
“I think it will be fun to see all of our hard work come together,” Ong said. “It’s been really fun being a part of a committee and seeing each of us doing our individual work and also everyone’s ideas come together.”