The Bentley School had perfect weather for their annual Pancake Breakfast & Turkey Trot on Sept. 20.
After the annual pancake breakfast that made about $640, students were treated to a presentation in the elementary school gymnasium by guest speaker 24-year-old retired Olympian Monique Sullivan.
She gave a presentation and brought along some equipment and many of the medals she has won during her nine-year racing career. In 2012 she competed in her first Olympics and also captured double gold at the Pan American Championships in Argentina.
Sullivan, who is a native Calgarian, started competitive cycling when she was only 12 years old and the sport has taken her all around the world including doing some training in Australia and Mexico and other places.
She showed her lightweight 16-pound carbon fibre track racing bike and other racing equipment, and spoke about the mental and physical preparation needed to be able to compete.
Sullivan hopes she can inspire some kids to follow their dreams, no matter what it is — sports or arts or anything else. She has gone back to school to further advance her education. She was presented with an official school T-shirt.
By 11 a.m. it had warmed up some and more than 250 grades 1 to 12 students, some staff, and some volunteers headed out running or walking to Camp Silversides where a free lunch was waiting and races took place.
The announcer’s booth, the 1962 Jeep of teacher Jason Hazlett, was a hit with many students.
Then it was back to the school to finish off the full day. Some walked while the younger ones were bused back.