Bridgewater: Extended School Year Classroom Visit

In today’s society, having a positive role model is extremely instrumental in a young adult’s life.

As teachers, we are always looking for confident role models for our students. Our students tend to gravitate towards Pop Stars, Actors, Professional Athletes, etc. But what if our students knew of another kind of role model? What if their hero was a person they could relate to who was not famous for their singing voice or their jump shot, but rather famous for their enormous heart and desire to help the world in which we live? Patty Butler, a former senior at the University Of Rhode Island and niece of Monica Butler who is the Director Of Special Services from the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, was the answer those questions.

This past summer, Patty traveled with a group of college aged students on a 42 day, 4,000 mile run from San Francisco to Baltimore for cancer research. Patty wanted to inspire others, with and without cancer, to keep fighting and never lose hope. Each day, students from Mrs. Kelly and Ms. Mammolite’s class would track Patty’s progress and take the journey along with Patty by reading her blog and looking up information about the state that she traveled to on that particular day. The students wrote letters and sent pictures of encouragement to Patty.

Upon her return, the students welcomed Patty at Milltown School in Bridgewater by hanging up “Welcome” and “Congratulatory” posters along with a finish line banner. The students, along with Patty, took the banner outside and completed the race with Patty by running through the sign on a painted mural of the United States. The students then had a Q and A session and enjoyed a class-made yogurt parfait with Patty to celebrate her arrival and accomplishments.

This wonderful experience will never be forgotten by adults and students. We thank Patty for all of her hard work and encouragement that she gave to others. Patty Butler has left an imprint on our lives as well as those she ran in honor of across the United States.