Friday, June 7, 2002

Lansing, Michigan -- Haslett High School librarian Susan McCaffrey had a lot of good news for her colleagues last Monday. For the third year in a row, Haslett High School won a share of the proceeds from the May 31 Cooley Law School 5K Race for Education.

All participants who sign up for this annual race are asked to designate the educational institution of their choice to receive a cash award if the participant's name is picked in a post-race drawing.

The nominee can be an institution at any level of education, K-12, higher education, private or public schools. Luckily for Haslett, McCaffrey chose her employer as her nominee. Even more luckily, McCaffrey's name was drawn in what was the biggest race yet for Cooley. Nearly 400 people registered for the race and McCaffrey -- whose name was drawn for the 50 percent proceeds winner -- won a check in the amount of $2,951.35 for her school.

True to form, Haslett High School Principal Mike Duda will allow McCaffrey to choose how the money is to be spent. He did the same for previous runners who named Haslett High as their nominee and whose names were drawn.

McCaffrey, a lifelong runner, bubbles with ideas. As the media specialist for Haslett High School, she plans to use the money in the library, a resource used by all the 950 students in the school. "I am thinking of creating a health and fitness section and adding to our law collection, in honor of Cooley," she said. "I am absolutely thrilled to win and have really talked to everyone about what a great race this is.

McCaffrey was excited on race night when she learned that she was the 50 percent proceeds winner, but she had no idea the dollar amount involved. When she found out this week that it was about double what she'd been estimating, she was stunned.

Duda was pleased also. "This is pretty cool," he said. "Outstanding. Susan is always in search of funds." He said he lets people decide where the money goes because "they're the ones who put the effort in."

Duda is happy with the results. The money he said "does go back to the kids."

McCaffrey has been back in running seriously for about three years, following recovery from a broken back. She is an enthusiastic advocate for running. The mother of a kindergartner and a first grader, McCaffrey said her goal is to be participating in 5Ks when she is 90. Her husband is inspired now also. The day after the Cooley 5K Race, McCaffrey said, he strapped on his running shoes and hit the pavement. Next year, she said, the entire McCaffrey family will be in the race.

In the meantime, Susan McCaffrey will continue to train with "Team Haslett," a collection of a dozen or so Haslett teachers and friends who run together in area races. And -- of course -- start shopping for some new books for the Haslett High School library.

The 25 percent proceeds winner was Stephanie Crino, of East Lansing, an assistant prosecuting attorney in Livingston County. Crino nominated the Montessori Radmoor School in Okemos, which will receive a check for $1,475.68.

Crino, who is relatively new to running, said the proceeds will be used to help fund a second toddler room at the school. Crino is an adjunct professor at Cooley, teaching Law Practice and Moot Court.

Susie Hyatt, administrator of the Montessori Radmoor School, said there has been so much interest in the school, particularly in the 18-month to three-year-old age range -- that they need to open a second toddler program. Although the goal is a large one, the proceeds check from the Cooley race will definitely help, she indicated.

The 10 percent winners were Dr. Jeffrey Massey of Portland, who won a $590.27 check for the Portland High School Cross Country Team, and Mike Thomson, who won a $590.27 check for Red Cedar Elementary School in East Lansing.

Portland Athletic Director Kevin Veale was thrilled that Massey nominated the Portland Cross Country Team. With budget problems being what they are in area schools, money is always an issue, and the cross country team had some expenses coming up. Veale said the team is in need of new course flags and the proceeds from the Cooley 5K Race will help cover that.

Massey, a molecular biologist with the Michigan Department of Community Health, has been a runner since age 13. He said he runs some 20-30 races a year. His son runs both cross country and track for Portland.

The 5 percent proceeds winner was Steven Baker, who won a check of $295.13 for his nominee, Horizon Elementary of Holt.

For the race itself, the overall male winner was Doug Harger of Dimondale, with a time of 15:20. Elizabeth Tvedten was the overall female winner, with a time of 19:16. The overall male master's winner was Roland Hensley for the second year in a row. Hensley finished with a time of 16:01. The overall female master's winner was Judith Gapp, with a time of 22:27.

The Radisson donated the winners' prizes, which were a Romantic Adventure package, including a one-night say in a whirlpool suite, complimentary champagne, truffles, a rose upon arrival, dinner and breakfast for two in Seville's Restaurant, and full use of the indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and exercise room. They also received a pair of champagne glasses from Cooley.