A Jog-a-thon Down Memory Lane

By Sydney Pruner

If you are a Jenks Lifer, or even just a student who frolicked in the hallowed halls of a Jenks Public Elementary School, you’ve done the Jogathon. A day out of the year where logoed shirts are passed out beforehand, and bananas and apples are passed out after. Somewhere along the way in the middle, kids are unleashed like the running of the bulls. But instead of the narrow streets of Pamplona Spain, grades k-4 run the gravel track, getting a mark on their hand for every lap they run.

A Trojan tradition that has created a long lasting effect on the students, parents, and educators. To get the inside scoop I talked with Nikki Bayouth, one of the three PE coaches on the Jenks West Elementary campus. With 19 years of teaching under her belt, she is who we have to give props to for bringing this unifying school activity to JWE.

“That's what I did growing up, and I’m 45. In my elementary days, those were so fun,” said Bayouth.

Though initially this event stemmed from merchandise profit through the whole district's systems, Bayouth was able to work with the elementary PTAG to get the majority of the proceeds to go to the West elementary specifically, they’ve done this method now for the past 6 years.

“They can buy things like class subscriptions, field trips, classroom supplies, and all of the events hosted by PTAG for the teachers, all made possible because of events like the jogathon,” said Bayouth.

The amount of work put in behind the scenes is to a much higher degree than you’d assume. To plan this they need to advertise this to not only the students but the parents. As well as sponsors in the Jenks Area. Organizations like Helms, Flintco, or GH2 Architects are some generous donations to Jenks Public Schools and are benefactors to the ability to educate students through fun activities.

The Jogathon is more than just the money though, this event that spans from kindergarten to fourth grade has stuck in the minds of most high schoolers. Even high school seniors like Maggie Persson and Lauren Seibal.

“To an extent the Jogathon inspired me to become a track athlete and be more active. I made a lot of friends and the teachers were so nice,” said Persson. “It brought so much fun to the school day and I think back to it as a fond memory of elementary school. Being able to run ahead of the boys always made me more confident in myself.”

Persson is a former track and field runner, she vividly remembers the Jogathon as a positive memory along with many students. When I asked around, many other high school students thought that this was a laughable experience that they think back on when reminiscing about grade school.

“I loved the Jogathon as a kid. I always looked forward to getting to go out there and run with all my friends,” said Seibal. “In some ways it was a way for us little kids to show off our running skills. I hope that kids still appreciate it and have fun, because I know I always loved it.”

Bayouth was refreshed and inspired to hear this when I told her. As a PE coach she is driven to do her very best for the kids. She has hosted over 10 years worth of Jogathons and along the way she has learned a few tips and tricks. To get the students excited for this she makes a video telling everyone that the class who dresses up the most and makes the best poster wins a contest. This way the motivation to get hype for an event like this starts a few weeks before. As the anticipation builds up for the students the PTAG and PE program at west will always have a couple tricks up their sleeve.

One year they brought in a band to play while the students did their laps. Starting a couple years ago the Jenks Campus Police would involve themselves by running the first lap with the students to kick off the run.

“This shows the kids that there's people in this world that support them, from the perspective of the law and just while growing up. Adult examples are important for kids, plus it gives them incentive to do well and to perform at their highest peak, as well as motivate their classmates to try their hardest,” Said Marc Pruner, campus police officer who has been starting the Jogathon for the past few years. “I’m sad to not keep up this tradition personally but I know the other officers will do a great job encouraging the kids.”

At the end of the day the Jogathon is about the kids, for the kids, when they make these posters, when they make these videos, it is loosely teacher guided but most importantly student led. The efforts from the kids do not go unnoticed. Bayouth loves to see how many parents make an appearance in support of their kids as well.

“Mostly in first and second grade but seeing the number of parents increase every year is so amazing. Some parents run with them, others just do the marks, but there's always enough there to cover it all.”

With the help of Bayouth, PTAG, and teachers, every year elementary students get to experience this impactful event that promotes health and running while tying it to positive fun memories.

Bayouth said it best, “This is the kind of thing that sticks with you, even 30 years down the road.”