Community Corner
School District Receptionist Runs in Boston Marathon
Ramona woman finishes in the first 50 percent of runners, around 10,000th place. And a first-grader is already making plans for a trip to New York City in 2017.
Winning isn’t always the name of the game but finishing in the top 50 percent is definitely deserving of bragging rights. That’s how it was for Ramona’s Jennifer Foley-Shipitalo when she ran the Boston Marathon on April 18.
There were about 24,000 runners and Jennifer finished in 3 hours 40 minutes, about 10,000th place in the 26.2-mile course, competing with runners from 67 countries.
After qualifying in the San Diego Marathon in June last year, Jennifer and her running buddy, Vicki Oswald of San Diego, signed up for the Boston event. It was something they always wanted to do.
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“I’m from the East Cost and have always been a runner,” Jennifer told Ramona Patch. “It’s in the blood. Runners have that unique personality. It’s a wonderful rush.”
Will she do it again? Not necessarily.
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“I don’t know if it’s in the cards,” said Jennifer, who is the receptionist for Ramona Unified School District. “It was definitely inspirational and an amazing experience.”
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The student spotlight this week shines on Avery Lantz, a first-grader at Barnett Elementary School. Her teacher, Robyn Kuch, tells us the 6-year-old always does her best on everything she undertakes.
Avery loves to read and write stories. She currently is enrolled in a hip-hop class at Ramona-Julian Dance Academy.
Avery enjoys going on trips wherever there is water. She is learning how to waterski on the Colorado River whenever the family takes a trip to Arizona.
Avery is already making plans for another excursion, referred to by her family as the “Big Trip,” she will be taking in six years with her grandmother. Avery chose New York City as her destination.
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With the books barely closed on the fourth annual Ramona Garden Club Tour, plans are already in the works for next year’s event. Pam Marler, in charge of selecting the gardens, said she’s open to suggestions from anyone who would like their garden to be included in the one-day event in 2012.
This year’s gardens, open to the public on April 30, were geared toward native vegetation and water conservation along with the use of the natural environment.
To contact Pam, check the club’s Web site at www.ramonagardenclub.com.
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If you know of people you'd like to see recognized in Talk of Ramona, or if have any questions about the column, send an email to talkoframona@yahoo.com
