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Laura Wright 2016 Teacher on the Trail
I have spent a great deal of time getting to know our 2016 Iditarod mushers this year. My special focus has been to share the stories of the rookie mushers, and their personal journey to the starting line. Like many teachers we have a poetry unit each year, but I wanted to find an Iditarod …
The time has come for me to say “good-bye” to my Teacher on the Trail™ Iditarod year. I started this journey a year ago. I have had the most extraordinary year sharing and learning with teachers and Iditarod fans around the world. I spent some time today scrolling through hundreds of photos and videos from …
The Iditarod may be over, but for mushers like Dr. Larry Daugherty, the desire to inspire others continues. I had the great pleasure of getting to know Larry and his family during his rookie year in the 2016 Iditarod, and I was thrilled to watch him cross the finish line in Nome with his wonderful …
As I reflect on my time as the 2016 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, I will always be grateful to the remarkable village teachers that helped me during my journey. In Nikolai, I spent a lot of time with Ms. Tara Wiggins and her wonderful students at the Top of the Kuskokwim school. Her generosity …
I arrived in Anchorage this week on a special flight filled with Iditarod volunteers, race judges, veterinarians, and our race marshal, Mark Nordman. We had a great time cheering, laughing and telling tales from the trail. We ate homemade sandwiches and brownies and enjoyed this special last time together as we traveled from Nome after …
Reef, Dallas Seavey’s 4 year-old lead dog, “trotted” away with the Iditarod Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness award for the second year in a row! The mayor of Nome, Richard Beneville, did the honors at the 2016 Iditarod Finisher’s Banquet. “Reef is my hero,” Dallas said as he took the stage. Reef needed a …
[wpvideo NM9TmIF5] Mary Helwig made it to Nome and earned her place in history as she was awarded the Red Lantern under the burled arch. I had some frozen tears streaming down my face as Mary was celebrated by the citizens of Nome, mushers, and volunteers who lined the street to see her and help …
Elliot Anderson and Matt Failor arrived in Nome about 11 minutes apart, with many friends and family members standing by cheering them on…including me! I had seen this group holding up signs even the day before under the live Iditarod web cam. They were ready to celebrate! Elliot is a very thoughtful person who took …
With color and splash, Monica Zappa and her team arrived under the burled arch a little over 11 days on the trail. Her partner, Tim Osmar, was on hand to celebrate with her. Monica was all smiles, as usual, and I remember seeing her on the trail in Galena when most mushers were very …
The youngest musher in the 2016 Iditarod made it to Nome late into the night, with friends, family, and fellow mushers there to cheer him on. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know 19 year old Noah Pereira this year as the 2016 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, and I could not have been more …