SSCS second graders in teacher Donna Baker’s class spent part of March learning about Alaska’s world famous Iditarod dog sled race celebrating its centennial year. Each student selected a musher and followed them through the race on their school iPad. They learned about Alaska’s terrain, weather, sled dogs and the people living there. This year’s Iditarod champion was Jessie Holmes. On March 14, he and his dogs Hercules and Polar completed the 1,128-mile race from Anchorage to Nome in 10 days, 14 hours and 55 minutes. It was the longest Iditarod race in history because the trail had to be changed due to Alaska not having enough snow this year. The first Iditarod was the 1925 Diphtheria Serum Run. This was considered the greatest dog sled run ever where Balto the sled dog became a national treasure. Students learned there was another dog, Togo, that may possibly have been the true hero by saving the lives of many children. The Iditarod lesson ended with a musher’s banquet.
