By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Early morning temperatures hovering in the mid-30s did not slow down hundreds of Meadow View Elementary School students on Feb. 20 as they sprinted around a pair of small tracks in the field in front of the school.

Throughout the day, MVES kids took part in the Boosterthon Fun Run, which was conducted by the Atlanta-based Boosterton fundraising company.

During the event, Boosterthon set up a pair of running tracks in the field as kids in each grade level spent about an hour completing as many laps as they could.

In the weeks leading up to the fun run, the kids gathered per-lap pledges from family members and friends. Every time the kids completed a lap, MVES teachers placed a mark on their shirts.

Most kids completed between 25-35 laps during their hour period, and a portion of the proceeds will help the school purchase technology resources and other classroom materials, said MVES Principal Rachea Simms.

“They do a terrific job, and the kids get so excited,” Simms said of Boosterthon shortly after she completed several laps with the students.

Over the past few weeks, Boosterthon representatives visited classrooms at the school and taught several character-based lessons, said Boosterthon representative Clay Collie.

“We help the school raise needed money, especially with proration and other funding cuts. And we do it through a fitness-based program,” Collie said. “This year’s theme is Highway USA, and we tell the kids that we are on the highway to making good choices.”

While in the classrooms, the Boosterthon representatives taught lessons on the importance of having a good character, being physically fit and having a good attitude, Collie said.

Collie said every MVES student was able to participate in the fun run, regardless of whether or not they received pledges.

“Everyone gets to participate and have fun today,” Collie said. “That’s one thing I love about this. They all feel like they got out here and helped their school today.”