By Nicky Mondroski
Isthmus Montessori

Make a Montessori education available for every child in Madison. On Oct.7, be a part of the 5th Annual Race to the Finn, a local, community race that supports the Finnegan Ringdroski Scholarship fund at Isthmus Montessori Academy.

In 2011 Nicole Mondroski and Michael Ring were raising twins, Evelyn and Finnegan, in Madison’s Northside neighborhood. After not meeting some developmental milestones, doctors discovered a tumor in Finn’s brain. At the age of 2, after 10 brain surgeries and 14 months of fighting, Finnegan Ringdroski passed away. He would have attended school at Isthmus Montessori Academy.

The race, held in his honor, raises money for a scholarship for Isthmus Montessori Academy, which was opened in September 2012 by Melissa Droessler and Carrie Marlette. The scholarship will go to a family who may need help with child care or whose parents feel that a Montessori education would best meet their child’s needs. The academy hosts children ages 8 weeks through 14 years of age.

The race is an enjoyable run through scenic Maple Bluff beginning and ending at Burrows Park. Festivities begin at 10 am, with a children’s one-mile run at 10:45 and 5K and 10K runs at 11:15 am. The cost is $25 for the one-mile run, $40 for the 5K and $70 for the 10K. Sign up can be done the day of the race, but runners are encouraged to pre-register at runsignup.com/Race/WI/Madison/RacetotheFinn by 5 pm on Oct. 6.

Isthmus Montessori Academy, located at 1402 Pankratz Ave., is determined to become the first public Montessori School in Madison.