Spending a little extra time outdoors during the last week in October earned Wiscasset Middle High School sixth, seventh and eighth graders a $1,000 prize in the “Life Happens Outside Challenge” sponsored by Teens to Trails. The student body learned of the award at an assembly Thursday afternoon, Nov. 16.

“Wiscasset is where our organization first began, so it’s a wonderful turn of events to see the middle school students make such an amazing effort. We can’t wait to see what they’ll do with their winnings,” Alicia Heyburn, Teens to Trails executive director, stated in a press release.  

Heyburn was in the school gymnasium for the presentation of the check made by Monique McRae, assistant vice president and Wiscasset branch manager of The First National Bank. Also present from the First were Ann Clifford, assistant branch manager, and Kim Averill, mortgage loan officer. Both attended Wiscasset schools.

McRae told the Boothbay Register-Wiscasset Newspaper she was delighted Wiscasset middle school students had won the cash award donated by the bank, a a “Legacy Sponsor” for this year’s Life Happens Outside Challenge. “We’ve been involved in Teens to Trails since its inception in 2006. It’s a wonderful organization that’s near and dear to our hearts. It started locally right here and has since grown to be recognized statewide,” said McRae.

This is the third year Teens to Trails, now based in Brunswick, has held the challenge, which this year  took place Oct. 20-31. The idea is to encourage middle schoolers to get outdoors part of every day, rain or shine. According to Teen for Trails, 613 students and teachers across the state participated in this year’s challenge totaling over 640,000 outdoor minutes. Ninety-one WMHS students took part, together contributing 94,000 minutes and placing third in the challenge. Every minute outside counts, including sports practice, walking the dog, doing homework outside, or even camping in the backyard like some kids did. The challenge’s motto is, “Being outside makes me feel like a better person on the inside.”

“It felt great to see students with their teachers walking past my office door throughout the day to go outside for class,” said Sarah Hubert, assistant principal and athletic director. Hubert encouraged students and their teachers to take part in the challenge. She said the middle school has not decided how to use the money, although one thought was to use some of it for sleds that could be used during recess in the winter; the monies are to be used for outdoor activities.