Student Writing

It was a day of celebration for Jack and Polly Baker, their first son John W. Baker was born. As the years passed, the Baker family grew. In the next six years John had a brother and sister. By the time John was ten they had moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. His father was now managing KOAT-TV. He could now move his family to a new house on Kentucky Street. John and his brother Robert went to Mark Twain Elementary School. The first day of school John met his friend for life, John Haaland. In high school Baker quit baseball for track. His coach did not think John could do it. John made a deal. If he could get Haaland to join, then he could run. Well, John got Haaland to join. By his first race John Baker beat the unbeatable, Lloyd Goff. His first year he broke six state records. After John got his college degree from UNM, he started training for the Olympics.

John began working at Aspen Elementary as a coach. The kids loved him and he loved them too. Everything was going well until he found out he had cancer. During this time John and Haaland were coaching a track team called the Dashers. With John's encouragement the Dashers continued to improve. After a while they were so good, they were invited to the AAU Championship. Well, John did not make it to the championship. But with tears in their eyes the Dashers won, won for John W. Baker. On May 16, 1971 all of Aspen Elementary voted to change the name to John Baker Elementary, there was not one vote against. Now every year we have a Jog-A-Thon in honor of him. written by Tyler D.

John Baker was a skilled runner. He wanted to share his experience with others. He created a boys running team called the Duke City Dashers. He taught at Aspen Elementary. He encouraged kids to run. His spirit still lives in the re-named school, John Baker. written by, Devon A.

John Baker was my mom's P.E. leader when she was in first grade and taught her how to skip. written by, Jessica N.