IPSSSDR Junior Mushers give back to their communities
Youth sled dog race combines fun, community service
by International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
January 3, 2012
Select students, aged 9 to 13, from schools throughout Wyoming and Utah will participate in a sled dog race of their own, in conjunction with the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR), which begins Friday, January 27, 2012. The IPSSSDR Jr. Stage Stop will take place Saturday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m. in Park City, Utah, after the final stage of the IPSSSDR. Participating students volunteer in their communities to earn the right to compete in the kids’ race. (A list of participating students and fact sheet about the race follows this release.)
Each of the host communities for the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race is eligible to send two students to represent its town in this short exhibition fun run. Alternate students are chosen to fill vacancies as available. In order to participate in the race, students agree to perform 10 hours of community service work prior to the race and donate $25 to the nonprofit Uinta County Community Youth Coalition.
The Jr. Stage Stop program was launched in 1999 by International Stage Stop co-founder Jayne Ottman and Jackson Hole Musher Maria Hayashida to broaden the goals of the IPSSSDR, and to improve the status of youth in Wyoming communities statewide. The Jr. Stage Stop provides an opportunity for youth participants to increase their self-esteem, social competency, community involvement and to experience philanthropy.
Students do not need their own dogs or previous mushing experience to participate – equipment and dog teams are provided by the IPSSSDR. The 2012 Jr. Stage Stop is coordinated by the Uinta County Sled Dog Race Committee. The Uinta County Sled Dog Race Committee, Abby Chamberlain, Andy and Heidi Spray, Angie Fessler, DuWayne Jacobsen, Kay Evans, Lisa and Troy Bradshaw, Lisa Silcox, Natalee Legault, Paul Knopf, Penny Robbins, Lynn Pahl, Marian McLean, Jessica Parkyn, Joe McFarlane and Terri Arnell, all worked together to organize race details. For additional information, contact Terri Arnell at 307-783-6459 or tarnell@evanstonwy.org.
2012 Junior Mushers’ Schools, Grades, and Ages
Jacob O’Connor from Etna Elementary School, Grade 5, 11 years old
Hayley Burton from Star Valley Middle School, Grade 8, 13 years old
Jillian O’Connor from Etna Elementary School, Grade 4, 9 years old
Madison Stewart from Etna Elementary School, Grade 5, 10 years old
Garett Schamber representing Pinedale
Garrett Lowham representing Pinedale
Haley Boulter representing Pinedale
Slade Mair from Mountain View Middle School, Grade 6, 12 years old
Parker Mair from Fort Bridger Elementary School, Grade 5, 10 years old
Braxton Sabey (information pending)
Israel (Izzy) Seemann from Big Piney Elementary School, Grade 4, 9 years old
Justin Seeman from Big Piney Elementary School, Grade 5, 11 years old
Ian Raben from Jackson Middle School, Grade 8, 13 years old
Brooks Bradford from Journeys School, Grade 5, 10 years old
Kaelyn Fable from Colter Elementary School, Grade 5, 10 years old
Dani Ball from Ecker Hill Middle School, Grade 6, 12 years old
Ella Ball from Parleys Park Elementary School, Grade 4, 9 years old
Zachary Davis from Providence Hall Junior High, Grade 7, 12 years old
FACT SHEET
JUNIOR MUSHER RACE 2012
WHO: Kids in grades 3 through 12. The sled dog race committee from each participating race route community will select two kids. No prior mushing experience is needed.
WHAT: The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race is a world class event.
The junior musher race is a fun exhibition race that provides a unique opportunity for kids to become involved in a positive environment where they can witness a network of adult role models engaging in responsible behavior. Kids will experience support, enjoy a meaningful activity, and develop relationships with others. This event will help teach kids about the importance of community service.
WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Quinn’s Sports Complex in Park City, Utah
WHY: It’s an opportunity for kids to participate in an internationally recognized event, learn the importance of volunteering, interact with others, and to have the chance to run a sled dog team.
HOW: Kids will volunteer 10 hours at a non-profit organization of their choice. Each junior musher will pay a $25 participation fee which will be donated to the Uinta County Community Youth Coalition, which is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. This money will be used to help provide free immunizations for children in Uinta County.
Each junior musher will be assigned a sled dog race musher with whom they can communicate before the junior musher race.
Junior Musher Race Contact:
Terri Arnell
Uinta County Sled Dog Race Committee
1200 Main Street
Evanston, WY 82930
307-783-6470
tarnell@evanstonwy.org
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