Scarborough Middle School teachers Tom Griffin, Dave Currier and Denise Lockman made what they felt was a sure bet with students.
But, as is the case with most sure bets, they lost and were forced to spend a night camping on the roof of the school.
In attempting to encourage student participation in the Ed Wimert Memorial Bike/Walkathon, the teachers said they would sleep on the school roof if 200 students came. The event entails a 20-mile bike ride or an eight-mile walk beginning at the Clambake Restaurant.
“We just wanted to the kids to participate and get involved,” Griffin said. “It’s a fun way to motivate the kids and get them to come out.”
Griffin said several bet consequences were considered, but they included shaving their heads or eating something gross, none of which generated any interest with school staff.
Griffin made the bet last year too, and fewer than 200 students showed up. He thought the same thing would happen this year.
Much to his surprise, 212 students participated in the event.
All three camped out on the high school roof last Thursday night, which turned out to be one of the colder nights this fall. But Griffin, who was wearing several pairs of pants, socks and sweatshirts along with two sleeping bags, said it was not that bad. “I was fine,” he said.
The teachers brought up a television set and watched about half of “Dead Poets Society” before it became too cold and they went to sleep. Griffin also said he brought up an electric heater, but decided not to use it.
“It was an adventure; it was fun,” he said.
Friday morning at about 4:30 a.m. they were awoken by a television news crew and remained on the roof to greet students when they arrived to school. Griffin said it was cold enough Friday morning that there was frost on the roof.
Lockman has already said she will not be participating in the bet next year. A couple of other teachers have said they would be interested, although Griffin said the student participation number would likely increase.
Students raised between $15,000 and $17,000 during the bikeathon and walkathon. It is an annual fund-raiser and the money goes to the Frannie Peabody Center in Portland, which assists people with AIDS. This year half of the money went to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.
Dave Curier, Tom Griffin and Denise Lockman setup their tens on the middle school roof Thursday afternoon. Send questions/comments to the editors.
