Dear Editor,

My son Elijah Johnson runs with the Lincoln County Middle School cross country team. We are a great family of 23 kids, two wonderful coaches and amazing parents. On Oct. 4, they traveled to Orlando, Florida, to run in Disney’s 21st Annual Cross Country Classic on Oct. 6.

These kids have fundraised and promoted this trip since the middle of July. They have sold kettle corn, washed cars, worked magic shows and sold candles. All while running at meets that have placed us at third for the girls and fourth for boys AND keeping up amazing grades.

These kids truly embody “no man left behind”, supporting each other, making sure every teammate climbs that last hill at practice and has a cheerleader at the finish line.

Parents gave up their work and personal time to help these kids get to Florida. Coaches Jose Pope and Missy Slone are the driving force behind the kids. They push this team to do their best not because they want winning numbers, but because they believe every child on that team is capable of giving it their all.

I can never thank the family behind this team enough. My son struggled with school work, attention issues, had social anxiety, didnt take to change well, and has a mild form of Tourrettes. After joining this team last year, he has grown as a better student and friend, and he is able to controll his “tics” and not let them control him.

Ever since Elijah was little we had to say, “Elijah, don’t run!” Now he has finally found his place, his family, his team, and he can run and not be told to stop. He competes in 5Ks outside of school meets, and runs in his free time. That’s because of the faith and support he has been given by this awesome family and Jose Pope.

I would love for the community to see what this wonderful group of fourth-eighth graders and their coaches and families are doing, and support them in this once-in-a-lIfetime opportunity. 

Tessa Johnson

Stanford