(The following information was submitted by the administration of the Ryan School.)

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, 6th grade students at the Ryan School experienced a rite of passage as they competed in the annual Turkey Trot.

Teams competed by earning points through a poster making contest, collection of donations for the Tewksbury Community Pantry, and a series of relay races (involving a frozen turkey, of course).

Although the competition is for 6th grade only, 5th grade families were also invited to donate items to the Pantry.  Parent volunteers transported the three mini-vans full of donations to the pantry after the competition.

 This is the 10th year for the Turkey Trot. Team 6B won their first Turkey Trot this year.

Mr. Ron Drouin/gym teacher at the Ryan School and his quote is below...

"Congratulations to 6B," said Ron Douin, gym teacher at the Ryan School and organizer of the Turkey Trot. "On paper, they were the winners. Nobody lost, as we brought quite a bit of food over to the food pantry to help some less fortunate people. The kids did a great job with this cause."

Tewksbury High School football players Kevin Saunders, Derek Tarpey, Chris Bettano, Brad Gahagan and Frankie McLaughlin helped out with the Turkey Trot races.