September 12, 2014

By Allison Jones

 

Last Saturday, Mountain States Health Alliance sponsored their 9th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City. The Festival originates from one of China’s most prestigious traditions and has rapidly become one of the area’s most popular family friendly events. 

 

The race featured over 30 teams, with each participant having to raise a minimum of $250 in order to receive a commemorative event paddle. Every year, the proceeds are donated to a specific organization, and this year the money went to benefit Niswonger Children’s Hospital and the building of epilepsy units for pediatric patients.

 

Milligan put together a team of over 20 members, comprised of faculty, staff, students and even President Bill Greer and his wife, First Lady Edwina Greer. The team practiced on Thursday and Friday evening before the actual race on Saturday morning.

 

Each team had a steersman who stood in the rear of the boat and acted as a “coach,” while the rest of the team paddled in the canoe-like boat for a distance of 200 meters and competed for the fastest time.

 

Amy DePriest, professor of nursing at Milligan, participated in her first Dragon Boat race this year and was very impressed with the outcome and relationships she built through this. “Working in the Nursing Program, I get to interact with mostly nursing students,” said DePriest. “It was great to be able to interact with students that I usually don’t get to talk to. We had a great time.”

 

DePriest also commented on the tremendous support the Milligan team received from the campus community. From fans cheering them on, to faculty and staff members making food for the participants, the support was tremendous.

 

Milligan’s team ended up getting first place in their heat, and 7th place for the overall race. They walked away with a trophy for their accomplishments.