Monday’s weather — 40 degrees and sunny — could not have been better for the inaugural event, which took place at the outdoor track. “We have 496 students participating,” said Sills, a number which makes up nearly half the student body of the entire district. “Only a few students opted out, and we have about 100 parents here, too.”

Students ran by grade level, with the younger students completing a partial lap of the track, and older students completing two laps. The Turkey Trot also featured a costume contest, with prizes awarded to the top three students, who were Zachary Bistoff, Eliza Mahaney and Isaac Margolis. While many students dressed as turkeys, others dressed as fictional characters and one student was even dressed as a box of Stove Top stuffing. Despite the wind-resistance some costumes created, the students participated enthusiastically. “I’ve never seen stuffing move like that,” said one teacher, impressed.

“I am thrilled we have so many faculty and staff willing to arrange activities to better improve our students’ health and wellness,” said school nurse Jennifer Johnson and member of the district’s School Health Advisory Council. “We’d love it if the Turkey Trot becomes a tradition at Silver Creek. It’s a fun reminder for us to stay active during the holiday season.”

Johnson also noted that Sills is a wonderful asset to SHAC and that she was the first in New York state to pilot the Daily Mile program, which emphasizes improving fitness and social and emotional health by spending 15 minutes outside every day walking, jogging, or running to help fight obesity. “Finding activities in the snow can be challenging in Western New York, but Trisha makes it work,” said Johnson.

Turkey Trot organizer Trisha Sills, far right, is pictured here with her second grade students at the starting line of the track.

The top three Pre-K runners (boys) were Brantley Griewisch, Peyton Buczkowski and Brandon Hernandez; the top three girls were Rory Hamilton, Meadow Plecker and Lorelie Souter. The top three kindergarten runners (boys) were Holden Steeprock, Owen Anderson and Noah Gonzalez; the top three girl runners were Hailey Wicks, Isabella Franklin and Luna Zuber. The top three first grade runners (boys) included a tie for first place between Ethan Newton and Logan Breton, with Lucas Halstrom finishing second. The top three first grade runners (girls) were Charlie Ann Boedo, Kendall Strychalski and Lexi Law. The top three second grade runners (boys) were Tanner Sterns, Zayden Becker and Jonah Merchant; the top three girls were Maddie Simmons, Samantha Timmerman and Malayah Eldridge.

In third grade, the top three boy runners were Derek Bauer, Christian Hatfield and Jayce Parker. The top three girl runners were Leah Mays, Eliza Mahaney and Claire Gonzalez. In fourth grade, the top three boy runners were Mayson Simmons, Alan Hoelzle and Johnny Seneca. The top three girls were Emily Bain, Molly Shaw and Rylee Weiskerger. In fifth grade, the top three boy runners were Nathan Mays, Gavin Delong and Sam Bowers. The top three girls were Amani Berry, Kim Bauers and Meadow Azzarella.

Sills has already received lots of positive feedback from the community and Silver Creek staff about the event. Some have even asked for a similar event in the spring because of the success of the Turkey Trot. Sills is grateful to the Silver Creek Turkey Trot Committee and the following sponsors, who helped provide snacks and bottled water, as well as t-shirts and prizes to the winners: Brad Bellentine (Walmart), Bobbie Kilburn, Jan Manning, Jess from Pride Boxing, Melissa Shaw, Silver Creek Wellness Committee, Tom’s Family Restaurant and Alicia Voigt with Overstocked.

Pictured, from left, are the winners of the Best Dressed contest: Zachary Bistoff, Isaac Margolis and Eliza Mahaney.