Middle Schoolers race for first in House Marathon
The Middle School divided into houses and competed in the House Marathon and Cardboard Boat Regatta on Friday, August 30.
Middle schoolers crowded together in the morning mist at Indian Lake on Friday, August 30 to begin the Middle School House marathon. They were full of energy and excitement as they received instructions about the kickoff event of the school year, organized by Mr. Johnathan BySura, Experiential Education Coordinator at the Middle School.
The Middle School’s house system encourages camaraderie and teamwork among Middle School students; students in all three grade levels are grouped into “houses.” The house names honor important Rabun Gap icons — Addie Corn Ritchie, Stiles, Frank, Van Rooyan, McHatcher, and Oliver.
The relay-style marathon had stations in fire building, completing math problems, swimming, kayaking, running, pie-eating, volleyball serving, three-legged races, and egg balancing. The competitors for each leg of the marathon were chosen shortly after school began on August 28 as the houses determined whose skills best matched the impending challenges.
A special addition to the competition this year was the Cardboard Boat Regatta. Not only were the various houses tasked with preparing for the marathon, but they were also provided with supplies to make two cardboard boats per house. These boats had to be designed to carry one or two people and would have to float long enough to get the team around a buoy and back without sinking. The students put a lot of thought into their designs and some actually were able to make it back to shore!
Head of Middle School Mr. Bill Rothe, is proud of the creativity and hard work the students and faculty put into this event.
"The teamwork I saw from both the students and the faculty to make this event happen was phenomenal. After the effort and camaraderie I saw on Friday, I know that we will have a great year as we work together as one community!" Mr. Rothe said.
To see more pictures from the Marathon, click here.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
