Some local students have been getting a lesson in never giving up from the story of Terry Fox.
Grades 4, 5 and 6 students from Sherbrooke Public School visited the Terry Fox memorial statue Friday after learning about the Canadian hero for the past week.
“We’re learning about Terry Fox and how he never gave up and about perseverance,” said Grade 6 student Trevor Honke. “I thought he was cool because not many people can run across Canada with one leg.”
The kids have been learning about Fox and his Marathon of Hope and at the lookout Friday they were also sketching the statue and conducting a scavenger hunt, looking for information written on the monument.
Destiny Linklater had never been to the Terry Fox Scenic Lookout before and was impressed with what she saw.
“I like it. It’s cool. It’s big,” said the Grade 6 student.
“We’re learning about Terry Fox and how he had perseverance about running across Canada and about how anyone can achieve their goals if they just stick to it,” she added.
Teacher Sarah Lane said they wanted to focus on the resilience Fox had and how that is important for the students to learn about.
“We’re trying to get across how far he got and how sick he was,” she said. “For them it’s important because if they have perseverance this is how they’re going to get through elementary school, high school to college and university, how they’re going to be successful in life.”
Lane said it was an eye-opener for many of the students just knowing someone could run from Nipigon to Thunder Bay, never mind across the entire country.
The lesson is also in preparation for the Terry Fox National School Run on Sept. 27.
