The Pingry School Initiates “The Amazing Race Across America”

Press release from The Pingry School

June 11, 2020

Basking Ridge, NJ – A group of Middle School students at The Pingry School is participating in “The Amazing Race Across America” (ARAA), an innovative, virtual, wellness challenge that has captured the interest of nearly 400 Middle School students from five independent schools in the region: Pingry, Morristown-Beard School, Kent Place School, Newark Academy, and Far Hills Country Day School.

Pingry’s Director of Middle School Athletics, Gerry Vanasse, conceived of the idea in response to the unprecedented circumstances of remote learning and invited other institutions to join. “With schools closed, and the absence of any on-campus physical activity, I wanted to find a way to encourage students to remain active by providing a friendly interscholastic competition—one that allowed students to be part of a team and connect their exercise routines to a clear team goal,” he said.

Students are “racing” for 6,150 miles from New Jersey to San Francisco and back. The ARAA counts every 10 minutes of “vigorous” exercise—running, resistance training, biking—and every 15 minutes of “non-vigorous” exercise—light walking, recreational biking—as one mile.

“The timing could not have been more perfect,” said seventh-grade student Nataly Ruiz (Newark) of her reaction to the challenge. “It would be a welcome distraction, as being confined to my home during COVID-19 was a big adjustment. I’m competitive by nature and thrive on pushing myself outside of my comfort zone . . . Although the goal is to earn miles for my team, I soon realized that it felt great to exercise every day.”

Seventh-grade student James Kotsen (Westfield) joined ARAA for the opportunities to reconnect with Pingry during the closure and stay in physical shape. “My favorite part about the ARAA is that it is not only Pingry Middle School teams that are competing, but also other schools, including Newark Academy and Far Hills. My neighbor is on the Newark Academy ARAA team, and when I see him running, it encourages me to get out and do the same.”

Pingry fielded three separate teams, and students monitor their progress as a graphic representing each team, including the other schools’ teams, advances on a digital map.

About The Pingry School:

The Pingry School, a K-12 coeducational, independent country day school, is recognized throughout the United States for its academic excellence, Honor Code, arts, athletics, and community and civic engagement. The school’s mission is to foster in students a lifelong commitment to intellectual exploration, individual growth, and social responsibility, while preparing them to be global citizens and leaders of the 21st century. Dr. John F. Pingry founded the school in 1861 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and today there are two campuses: Grades K-5 in Short Hills and Grades 6-12 in Basking Ridge. The diverse student body is composed of more than 1,100 students from nearly 100 towns in New Jersey and New York. For more information visit the school’s website, pingry.org, or follow The Pingry School on Facebook.

This press release was produced by The Pingry School. The views expressed here are the author's own.