Originally published on 2/22/21
The Alvin ISD Education Foundation Annual Turtle Race and Fun Run was a little different this year due the extreme winter weather’s impact on our families and community. Due to the weather the Fun Run had to be cancelled and the turtles did not get dropped into the bayou to ‘race’. But nothing can dampen the spirits of the Foundation to award the 12 prizes that were donated by generous individuals and businesses. Since each adopted turtle is assigned a number and each number is assigned to the person who adopted the turtle, a drawing was held to determine the lucky winners. There were 12,377 numbers placed in a drum and Foundation Board members, Superintendent Carol Nelson and Dr. Ronald McNair Jr. High Principal Craig Rhodes, whose secondary campus adopted the most turtles at a secondary campus, drew out the winning numbers. Sheldon the Turtle, the Foundation mascot, drew two of the winners as well. Once final numbers are in, the Foundation expects to have raised approximately $90,000 for Innovative Teaching Grants and student and teacher scholarships.
“It has been a challenging week for our community but we have a great group of people who helped us regroup and with the support of our school community the Turtle Race is still a success for our students and teachers,” said Alvin ISD Education Foundation Board member and Turtle Race chairperson Mary Jane Crumm.
The winning turtle was adopted by Noah Hernandez, a student at Bill Hasse Elementary, who won a $1,500 travel voucher provided by Stantec. Richard Urdiales, a first grader at Stevenson Elementary, won the second prize of a $1,000 shopping spree provided by Gulf Coast Educators FCU and after hearing he was a winner Richard said, “I’m going to go to McDonalds and then pizza!” Rachell Sanchez, won third prize of a $500 VISA gift card sponsored by Texas Advantage Community Bank.
The fourth place winner was E. J. Kirk who received a Museum of Fine Arts Family Membership and a Gringo’s gift basket; Avita Beekhoo, who won fifth prize of Kendra Scott jewelry donated by Kendra Scott @ Baybrook; Ross Leago; who won sixth place of a succulent planter and two classes donated by Dunk Ranch; Christine Shelton won seventh place with 2 - $50 VISA Gift Card donated by Alvin Pest Control; Elyssa Esquivel, who won eighth place of Sennheiser wireless headphones donated by The Crumm Family; Ray Mayo, winning ninth place with a Gift Basket donated by Dear Friends Gifts; Eli Barragan, who won tenth place with Bundtlets for a year donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes-Pearland; Kashina Julian winning eleventh place with a $50 Memory Quilt gift certificate donated by Memory Quilt. The last place number drawn would have been the “Slowest Swimmer” and that went to Isabella Razo, who won a Whataburger for a Year gift basket donated by Whataburger.
Even though the weather prohibited the Turtle Race Family Fun Run from being held, runners are encouraged to be virtual racers and complete their race when it is convenient for them. Registrants can find a link on their registration to share their race information by going into their confirmation email and click the “manage your registration” button. This will allow racers to submit your time, print your bib off, as well as view or print a finisher certificate once they complete the event. If you cannot find your confirmation email, click here to resend it to you. The Foundation will schedule times for Fun Run shirt and medal pick up soon.
For more information about the Alvin ISD Education Foundation Turtle Race and to see a list of all our winners and our generous sponsors click here. For additional information contact the Foundation office at 281-331-2586 or Sheila Olson Via Email.