Prior to the start of the varsity girls’ basketball game Friday, Mark Bottom, at right, thanked the crowd for its support of his ride in the Pedal for Pat. With the help of senior player Whitney Hopp, at left, a plaque was presented to the school and Supt. Joey Lefdal. (Johnson Publications photo)
School recognized for Pedal for Pat support
Chase County Schools was recognized with a plaque for its strong support of one of its teachers, Mark Bottom, and his participation in Pedal for Pat this fall.
At Friday’s first home girls’ basketball game, a formal presentation of the plaque was made by Bottom, who also serves as head coach for the Lady Longhorns.
The plaque was awarded because the school, through its many fundraisers, contributed at least $1,098 to Bottom’s efforts in the 11-day ride in October. CCS bypassed that $1,098 significantly, according to Bottom’s estimates.
He said the school through its fundraisers by student organizations and individual class efforts likely contributed about $3,000 overall.
The $1,098 amount is significant, Bottom noted, as it matches both the number of miles the eight cyclists covered in their ride, but was also the number of wins legendary Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt tallied in her coaching career.
In all, Bottom’s efforts in fundraising totaled $16,724.88, all of which was donated to the Pat Summitt Foundation and its efforts to battle Alzheimer’s Disease.
After this year’s inaugural ride, the 1,098 mile Pedal for Pat event will become an annual effort of Summitt’s foundation.