Virtual Academy Holds Pinewood Derby Competition

 

After weeks of fashioning simple pieces of wood into small but fast-moving vehicles, Lucerne Valley Virtual Academy elementary-aged students finally got to see their colorful creations in action at the Pinewood Derby on Wednesday, March 23rd.

 

With Superintendent Peter Livingston, LVMHS Principal Kelly Boeing, families and several other school community members in attendance, Virtual Academy teachers Mary Eller (4-6), Lindsay Evans (K-3) and Cindy Lazenby (7-12) presided over the spirited competition. Competitors’ entries were judged on several factors: speed, design originality and workmanship. The double elimination speed contest utilized a “winner’s bracket” system. After each heat, the winning car advanced to the next level of the winner’s bracket while others are entered in the loser’s bracket, and so on. The final car of each of the two brackets competes with the other for first place. A panel of volunteer judges, along with votes from competitors, helped decide the winners of the originality and workmanship categories. 

 

The pinewood derby, a form of wood car racing, was first held in 1953 at the Scout House in Manhattan Beach by a Cub Scout Pack. Today, there are numerous races throughout the world along with a wide variety of equipment such as tracks and starting devices that are sold at varying prices. Mrs. Eller envisions the Virtual Academy upgrading its basic track to one with automatic timing. 

The first place winners of this past week’s pinewood derby were Elizabeth Davis in the speed category, Madison Terrill in the design category, and Jennaeve Terrill in the workmanship category. (A complete list of winners is at the end of this article).

 

The Lucerne Valley Virtual Academy, which is located behind the Middle High School’s sports area, was started to give families a stay-at-home option for their students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although restrictions have decreased, a number of families are still choosing the option. Currently the Academy has a total of 77 students in grades K-12.

 

“We’re still growing,” says Mrs. Lazenby.

 

The Pinewood Derby was just one of a number of in-person activities held weekly on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Here are the activities for the remainder of the school year:

 

 

THE PINEWOOD DERBY WINNERS: