In a town with a population of just 175, a 250-person turnout for any event is quite a feat to accomplish, but one held in the drizzling rain can be called nothing other than a great success.

Saturday morning of the alumni weekend got off to a great start with between 225 and 250 people hauling themselves out of bed to brave the mud for an “I Believe, We Believe” 5K Run/Walk.
The event was a fundraiser for Tanna Kingsbury, who was diagnosed this past spring with Ewing’s sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer.
Huge support for Tanna’s recovery was more than evident by the mere turnout of the event, even in less than ideal conditions. Her mother, Lynette, said a few words to the group of participants before the race, expressing her gratitude and giving a short update on Tanna’s battle for recovery.
Tanna was unable to attend the event. She has been undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. She traveled back to Rochester on Monday to begin her sixth round of chemotherapy and received some good news that her tumor had shrunk considerably.

LYNETTE Kingsbury, Tanna’s mom (in orange), gives a big grin and a wave as she and the rest of the walkers round their first corner of the race.

She is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the tumor as soon as it is small enough, then will receive a number of radiation treatments, scheduled through fall.
Results of the 5K are as follows: 16 and under girls – first, Ashley Schmit; second, Maddie Miller; third, Molly Miller.
16 and under boys – first, Reed Overweg; second, Dillon Moore; third, Connor Morgan.
Adult female – first, Carla Snedeker; second, Missy Hoffman; third, Rachelle Moore.
Adult male – first, Marty Tukagi; second, Lyndon Overweg; third, Cory Flatten.