By Nicky Mondroski
Isthmus Montessori

Make a Montessori education available for every child in Madison. On Oct. 6, be a part of the Sixth 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, on Madison’s Northside. After not meeting some milestones for his age, doctors discovered a lemon-sized tumor deep in Finn’s brain. At the age of 2, after 10 brain surgeries and 14 months of fighting, Finnegan Ringdroski passed away.

Finn remained happy and brave throughout all of his treatments, therapies and surgeries, and was a proud patient of the doctors at American Family Children’s Hospital. He would have attended school at Isthmus Montessori Academy. The race, held in his honor, raises money for a scholarship to the academy.

Isthmus Montessori Academy was opened in September 2012 by Melissa Droessler and Carrie Marlette. The scholarship will go toward a family who needs help with the cost of child care for a child between 8 weeks and 3 years of age.

Isthmus Montessori Academy/Public has recently relocated to 1802 Pankratz Ave. and is now Madison’s only public Montessori School for children ages 4‒15. The school is now two schools in one building — Isthmus Montessori Academy and Isthmus Montessori Academy/Public — and together host children ages 8 weeks‒15 years of age.

Race to the Finn is an enjoyable run through scenic Maple Bluff beginning and ending at Burrows Park. The race begins with a children’s mile run at 10:45 am ($25), followed by a 5K run at 11:15 am ($40). Sign up can be done before the race on race day, but runners are encouraged to pre-register at runsignup.com/Race/WI/Madison/RacetotheFinn.