Tour de Clarkson Rides Again
Media by Geoff Cooper
Seniors ride down Clarkson Road on the annual Tour de Clarkson, celebrating senior year. With a police escort, about 50 students rode bikes, golf carts and mowers to school.
Gathering in the Lifetime Fitness parking lot at 7:45 a.m., a herd of seniors on bikes, golf carts and even mowers prepared for the Tour de Clarkson, the annual tradition of senior boys taking alternative wheels to school.
Ellot Barkofske, senior, joined the group with a bike, excited to participate in another senior activity.
“It’s a long time tradition and I wanted to do it with my friends,” said Barkofske, “I thought it would be fun, and it’s just another thing to add to the end of the year festivities.”
The herd went, with a police escort, down Clarkson Rd from Lifetime Fitness through the entrance of MHS, around the track and into the parking lot.
“I’m sure it looked funny when there’s 50 bikes on Clarkson following a police escort,” Barkofske said.
Sam Stremlau, Senior Class president, planned the tour with Chase Heebs, senior, on Monday. He sent an email to Chesterfield police and talked to the School Resource Officer in advance.
“Just seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and knowing that this is basically the last hoorah was my favorite,” Stremlau said.
Stang Gang announced on Instagram (@stang_gang_insta) the criteria for rides, telling everyone to bring anything non-traditional including bikes.
Just seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and knowing that this is basically the last hoorah was my favorite.
— Sam Stremlau
School Resource Officer Steve Aspinall led the group safely to MHS.
“I made sure the intersections were shut down at Kehrs Mill and Clarkson Valley so we could get the kids through safely,” Officer Aspinall said.
The officers gathered the seniors and set ground rules, which included staying in the lanes and between police cars for safety.
“Everyone was safe; no one was injured and that’s all we want,” Officer Aspinall said.
John Winka, senior, said the experience was enjoyable.
“Everybody helped out. If you didn’t have air in your tires, they would give you air. The police were very helpful and they escorted us,” Winka said. “It was just fun to have a big group of people riding bikes to school.”
Your donation will support the student journalists of Marquette High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs. You may become a PATRON by making a donation at one of these levels: White/$30, Green/$50, Blue/$100. Patron names will be published in the print newsmagazine, on the website and once per quarter on our social media accounts.
Willem Hummel, Senior is a News Editor for the Marquette Messenger. This is his third year on staff, he has been involved in the Track Team, and Cross...
This will be Aubrey's 3rd year with the Messenger. This year she is a Sports Editor. She is involved in the Environmental Club, and the Marquette Orchestra....
Parker Brandt, senior, is the Features editor for her second year on staff. She wants to major in journalism in college and is excited for another school...
