"The Maverick Mile" is the year's only fundraiser for Mill Creek Elementatry School.

“We ask students to get pledges for each lap they will run,” PTA president Kara Lingerfelt said. “With parents’ permission, students may contact friends and relatives. Our goal is to raise $50,000.”

Several days before the event, the PTA announced that $9,334 already had been pledged. The Maverick Mile, named for the school’s mascot, is Mill Creek’s only fundraiser for the year.

“Our PTA, staff, students and parents make The Maverick Mile successful,” principal Melanie Barkley said. “This is our third year to have The Maverick Mile, and it just keeps getting better — thanks to all the hard work of the team.”

Barkley expects all of Mill Creek’s 932 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will participate. “The goal is to continue to make Mill Creek the best it can be for our students, parents and teachers,” Barkley said.

Students will race The Maverick Mile on two modified tracks on the school’s soccer field.

Starting early at 8:15 a.m., students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and developmentally delayed classes will take to the tracks first. At 9:20 a.m., the fifth- and sixth-graders will run laps.

The next group will be the third- and fourth-grade classes at 10:25 a.m. After lunch, the first- and second-graders will hit the tracks at 12:15 p.m.

“Parents are invited,” Barkley said. “After the run, the collections (for pledges) will take place during the week.”

Mill Creek PTA will use proceeds to purchase and install a complete, full-sized basketball court near the playground. “Teachers also receive 10 percent of their classroom pledges for classroom supplies,” Lingerfelt said.

“They do an excellent job,” Barkley said.