Tracy Haeser and Dawn Whalen are in charge of running the Huskie 5K Challenge fundraiser that is under the auspices of the Highland Middle School PTA. Runners gathered at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail head at the caboose off of Old New Paltz Road.

Haeser said the students run for free but the adults pay a fee that goes to the PTA, “to help with field trips and stuff for school.”

Haeser said there is a Field Day at the end of the school year, the sixth graders go to Medieval Times, seventh graders go to Six Flags and eighth graders will visit Boston.
Haeser said they also raise money with school dances and through a Mother’s Day flower sale.

Haeser said they can be found on Facebook on the Highland Middle School PTA page.

Colleen Incorbaia has been involved with the PTA for several years because of her daughter, who is presently in the High School.

“When she was in sixth grade I started,” she said.

Haeser and Incorbaia thanked the Town of Lloyd and Peter Belizzi, President of the Rail Trail Association, for their support of the PTA, “and for everything they do to help us run the race.”

Middle School Principal Dan Wetzel who ran in the race, said they average about 40 participants and it once hit 75.

“We do all these events and so many of them are buy this or buy that and this fundraiser is get out, get some exercise, have some fun and it’s really a social event for people and it’s great in that way,” he said. “We’re kind of modeling for kids what we want them to do.”

Incorbaia thanked all of the businesses who have financially supported them: Dr. B. Smiles, Felleman’s Automotive, First Care Medical Center, Gateway Diner, Highland Education Foundation, Highland Teacher’s Association, Pizza Mia, Sawyer Savings, Smiles of the Hudson Valley, The Would Restaurant and Van Vliet Orthodontics.