Tails from the Trail

O is for.. Optimism

Optimism according to Sanka W. Dog is “Hopefulness and confidence about the future.  The belief that good will prevail over evil in the universe.” Being hopeful, confident, and positive are all important traits in an Iditarod musher.  The trail can be very tough, the Dalzell Gorge, the Happy River Steps, Farewell Burn.  However, having an “I can do it ” attitude is important.

Sarah Stokey Photo Credits: Terrie Hanke

Another great example of an optimistic attitude is Sarah Stokey’s finish in the 2019 Iditarod.  All of her dogs excitedly wanted to run, however, none wanted to be the leader for the last stretch of the Iditarod into Nome.  Sarah stepped up and with an “I can do it.  We can make it”  attitude and became the leader of the team.  She ran with her team, leading them into the finish in Nome.

O is for  GOPHER

Gopher Photo Credits: Terrie Hanke

No, it doesn’t start with “O,” but “O” is in it! Today was the first day of the Iditarod EDU Teacher’s Summit. It was energizing having so many educators together sharing their love of the Iditarod, and the many ways to use it in the classroom.  Terrie Hanke, the 2006 Teacher on the Trail, presented the GOPHER story. Gopher was a dog on the musher Sue Allens team.  He was not a lead dog, nor ever ran in lead before. “He was a follower not a leader”  During the 2004 Iditarod, Sue Allen had to return her lead dogs and was left with 13 dogs, none really a leader.  Gopher was asked to run lead so the team could make it to Nome.  He stepped up, from the back of the pack, and showed his great talent as a lead dog, and made it to Nome.

The moral of the story is “Not letting perception limit potential”.

Gopher
Photo Credits: Terrie Hanke

Terrie Introduced GOPHER and the acronym for 

Go

Out

Play/work

Hard

Earn

Respect

Take a chance and go outside the box, your comfort zone. You can do it! A great message for all of our students!

A Tribute to Perseverance

Who was the Red Lantern recipient of the 2020 Jr Iditarod? Ida Kohnert!   She finished the race in 20 hours 56 minutes and 7 seconds.  Although she was not the last musher into Willow on Sunday, she is the red lantern winner.  In the Jr Iditarod, the red lantern is given to the last musher into Willow before the conclusion of the banquet.  Ida Kohnert, born and raised in Sweden, is 15 years old.  She began mushing at the age of 5 and her dream is to run the Yukon Quest in 2023.

Ida Kohnert

Which Red Lantern recipient carried in a paper plate with the word “End” on it? Stay tuned….

Teachers

Click on the following links to read more about Gohper and how you can apply the GOPHER principle into your classrooms.

Gophers Story