Yesterday we traveled to the Iditarod headquarters where the official vet checks took place. We were thrilled to meet many mushers who were very busy and focused on having their dogs checked by the volunteer Iditarod vets on duty. This is required to be able to race the Iditarod. Jan Steves was the first musher there, and it was a pleasure to visit with her. She loves her dogs so much, and she started mushing in 2009. Wow! She was also the Red Lantern winner her rookie year; which is the coolest thing! I snapped a photo of the official red lantern trophy in the headquarters. I love the idea that the last musher is honored in this way. It is not when you finish, but that you tried that matters! She answered some questions I had, and I so appreciated her time! Here is the link to her bio, photo and video below: I have been meeting mushers this week during the teacher conference, both past and present. These are amazing people who have a real passion and love of dogs and Alaskan heritage. Today I met Angie Taggart a two time veteran. She is a teacher from Ketchikan, Alaska, and ran her first race in 2011, again last year, and is taking a break this year. She was actually quite tall, and was kind enough to "lower" herself to meet me in the photo! I also have a picture of her belt buckle. This is given to every musher and team that survives the trip and passes the finish line into Nome. It doesn't matter when you arrive, you are honored with this special buckle if you are a rookie musher. Angie was the 105th woman to ever finish the Ididarod, and she was wearing it proudly when I met her. She said, "It was the greatest time of my life."
Watch Mike the Guide as he explains how to mush on a sled and lead a team without falling off!! |
About Ms. WrightI have taught 20 years, and 17 of them here at EES! I love Project Based Learning and thematic teaching to help lessons come alive! I love animals and respect nature, and I bring that passion to my students! I am thrilled to be a part of this special project! Archives
March 2014
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