Shuffle to Buffalo

By Cori Bolger

The Lake Oswego Review, Nov 22, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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“Each week when the students come down to gym I talk to them about the highlights of the particular state we are crossing, which direction are we going, how many steps we have taken, how many left and what choices of activities are we making,” said Louise, who also e-mailed a weekly report of their virtual journey to the Oak Creek community.

Louise surprised the students with a visit from four Winter Hawk hockey players Nov. 15 during recess. Scott Gabriel, Viktor Sjodin, Ryan Kerr and Jake Dietrick played soccer and participated in other fun activities with the students.

“I am not sure who had more fun,” Louise said. “However, I can tell you there was a lot of excitement. The Winter Hawks thought it was so much fun and were amazed at the energy of the first and second graders.”

In chilly Buffalo, Paul arranged for students from the Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence to join Oak Creek in the program and walk their way across the nation to Lake Oswego. The Wright School students plan to make it to Lake Oswego by Christmas or New Year’s, and they will swim laps in a pool to cross the lakes.

Louise will meet up with the Wright School students and their teachers during the Sabres game this week.

At the same time, both schools are committed to helping fight youth diseases, especially cancer. Oak Creek collected stuffed animals for kids with cancer. One student, Cade Spiering, donated 106 Webkinz toys to the cause. Louise took half of the donated toys with her to Buffalo.

Meanwhile, the Wright School is holding a fundraiser and the Sabres will match whatever amount they raise.

Oak Creek celebrated the completion of the two-month program at an assembly Tuesday in the school gym.

Louise led cheers, including a “Go Sabres!” cheer on speaker phone for her son and his teammates. Paul told the students how proud they made him.

Everyone applauded Oak Creek parents Anne Nudleman and Tracy Groznik, who have been instrumental in implementing “The Shuffle to Buffalo.”

Unicyclists, jump ropers and gymnasts showed off their athletic skills as well. Then, students sent Louise – clad in a personalized Sabres jersey – off to Buffalo with major fanfare.

“It has been much more than we had ever expected,” she said.

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