Eighth annual Trot brings community together
CAMPUS LIFE
Providence Day School finds a way to support a local charity, honor an important member of their community, and create a fun event for all.
by Taryn Stuart and Delaney Emerine
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Each year before Thanksgiving, Providence Day School dedicates a day to personal fitness, helping the community, and honoring an influential member of the faculty. This annual community day is called the Turkey Trot.
This day, students bring in canned goods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank, a local food bank that gives food to families in need. Then, the students participate in fun activities that promote physical fitness such as running, dancing, and jumping rope. Providence Day holds this event every year to honor Gil Murdock, one of the first faculty members at Providence Day, and a man who was so vital in the development of the school.
Mr. Sienkowski is a middle school math teacher who has been working at Providence Day since 1990. When he started working at PDS, he was the assistant cross country coach. Since Coach Murdock was the head cross country coach, he was one of the first people Mr. Sienkowski met at PDS. The two of them quickly developed a tight bond as they worked together. Sienkowski said that Coach Murdock “started all of the different athletic programs, [and] he was the athletic director. He coached probably almost every sport that there was for boys and for girls.“
Not only did he greatly impact this school’s community, but he also touched the lives of everyone he met. Sienkowski also said that “his impact was far beyond just the nuts and bolts of the school. Anyone he came into contact with felt like they were the most important person in the world at that time.”
Kristie Oglesby, the head of the physical education department at Providence Day School, is in charge of planning the Turkey Trot each year. Oglesby stated the importance of the Turkey Trot is how it is a way to keep Coach Murdock’s memory alive, while giving back to the Charlotte community as well. Coach Murdock was a person who loved to help not just Providence Day, but Charlotte as well. When asked why we give food versus any other type of aid, Coach Oglesby explained that this was a way to “mesh the two passions that he had: giving back and exercise/fitness”.
The Turkey Trot has been an influential tradition on both the student body and faculty of Providence Day School. “We have kept his memory alive, and kids he never taught still know his name”. Oglesby was correct about the legacy of Coach Murdock. Fifth grader, Riley Brinley, was asked who Coach Murdock was and immediately knew the answer. “He was the first PE coach,” she answered eagerly. Although he was more than just a coach, kids that never got to meet Coach Murdock still realize his importance to this community. Without him, Providence Day would not be the school it currently is.
A group of fourth grade boys,and a parent jog around the track during the 2015 Turkey Trot Photo by Taryn Stuart
Mr. Randy Sienkowski remembers Gil Murdock as a man who treated everyone with respect and compassion. Photo by Trayn Stuart.
“It is a time for community and fun, but also a day for honoring someone.” – Randy Sienkowski
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