November 22 marks the 50th anniversary of former president John F. Kennedy’s assassination. He was assassinated while travelling through Dallas, Texas in an open-top convertible during a parade in 1963. As their vehicle passed the Texas School Book Depository Building at 12:30 p.m., Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired three shots from a rifle from the sixth floor, fatally wounding President Kennedy. Many conspiracies arose out of this tragic event. Some people believed that Oswald was accompanied by another person. Even more felt it was due to the United States’ tension with Cuba and Russia at the time. Regardless, it was a very horrific event that many can still remember. Mr. Bergia, former superintendent, recalls these events. It was his third year teaching at Kelley Avenue Grade School with his 7th and 8th grade classes when it was announced over the intercom that Kennedy had been shot. Students and faculty rushed to watch the events following the incident on one TV located on the first floor. Everyone was shocked and devastated. Many students and teachers were crying and unsure of what to do. Though school was still in session, faculty and students mourned their president’s loss and remembered him by sharing his story. Teachers read newspaper articles to their classrooms and even talked more about the late president’s life and term as president. Bergia remembers seeing the late president’s funeral procession on TV. Kennedy was carried by a horse-drawn caisson along Washington. Kennedy’s son, who was only about three years old at the time, stood alongside his mother and saluted his father’s casket as it passed by. Kennedy was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery where an eternal flame was lit by his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, to forever mark his grave.
The New York Marathon is one of the most famous races in America. After taking a one year hiatus due to Hurricane Sandy, the race was back, and better than ever. The race featured tightened security, after last year’s tragedy in Boston.
As for some history on the race, the first marathon was ran in 1970. Gary Muhrcke won the first race. There were only 127 competitors that day. This year, 50,740 runners competed. Since that first race, many changes have been implemented. Men and women run separately, and wheelchair races are also an event. So why are we writing about this event? Peoria Heights’ alum, Ansel Wachter, finished in 89th place, with a time of 2:40:32. He also ran for a great cause. Ansel was running for Easter Seals Team Believe. Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won with a time of 2:08:24. Mutai set the track record in 2011. As for Wachter, he graduated in 2007. Not surprisingly, Wachter ran cross country here at the school. He now works at Running Central in the Heights. |
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