Borrego Springs: Race Across America Fundraiser

Pedaling for a Purpose: Sylvia Maas's Inspiring Race Across America Fundraiser

Challenge to Fund Scholarships for Borrego Springs Seniors

Sylvia Maas's participation in RAAM with Team Infinity serves multiple purposes. While one key goal is to raise $7,000 for scholarships, providing seven Borrego Springs High School seniors with $1,000 each to aid in their college expenses, this endeavor also showcases the spirit of endurance cycling and community support.

These scholarships are designed to help students manage the costs associated with transitioning to college life, from textbooks to dorm essentials.

To contribute to this commendable cause, supporters are encouraged to visit the Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs website, where donations can be made directly to the scholarship fund.

Every dollar donated goes towards helping Borrego Springs' students overcome the logistical and financial hurdles that might stand in the way of their educational aspirations.

Why Borrego Springs High Schoolers Need Help



Borrego Springs High School, nestled in the remote and scenic Borrego Springs area, faces unique challenges that underscore the need for additional support for its students:

• Small Student Population: With only about 350 students in the entire K-12 system, the small size of Borrego Springs High School limits its funding and resources, as public schools often receive allocations based on student numbers.

• Rural Location: The school's remote location in the Anza-Borrego Desert area presents logistical challenges for students pursuing higher education, including limited access to college preparatory resources and extracurricular opportunities that are more readily available in urban settings.

• Technological Disparities: The school struggles with a lack of up-to-date technology and resources, putting its students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in more affluent or urban districts.

• Educational Opportunities: Students at Borrego Springs High School have limited access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and other specialized academic programs. Most AP classes and college-preparatory resources are available only online, which can be less effective than in-person instruction.

• Faculty Retention: The school faces difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified teachers and counselors, partly due to its isolated location and limited funding. This results in fewer mentors and role models for students.

• Economic Barriers: A significant portion of the student body comes from low-income families, making the financial aspects of college, such as tuition, books, and housing, a substantial barrier to higher education.

• Community Support: While the tight-knit community of Borrego Springs is highly supportive of its students, the economic and logistical realities of living in a remote area mean that community resources are not always sufficient to meet all educational needs.

Given these challenges, initiatives like Sylvia Maas's fundraiser through her participation in the Race Across America (RAAM) are crucial in providing much-needed awareness, support and resources to the students of Borrego Springs High School.

By raising funds for scholarships, Maas and the Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs aim to level the playing field for these students, offering them a fair chance at pursuing higher education and achieving their dreams.

Who is Sylvia Maas?

Sylvia Maas, a Soroptimist and former educator in Borrego Springs, is well-regarded for her dedication to local youth, leading initiatives to provide scholarships for high school graduates. An accomplished endurance cyclist, she regularly competes in the World Time Trial Championships (WTTC) held in Borrego Springs, bringing attention to the area as a prime location for endurance sports. Sylvia also participates in the grueling Race Across America (RAAM), showcasing her elite athletic skills.

Alongside her partner, Kristi Sisson, and as part of Team Infinity, Sylvia Maas stands out for her community engagement and sporting excellence. Together, Sylvia and Kristi make significant contributions to Borrego Springs, bolstering its community spirit and cycling culture.

This briefly highlights their impactful collaboration and shared commitment to the community.

Who Is Team Infinity?



Team Infinity is a dynamic duo composed of Sylvia Maas and Tami Kerns, set to compete in the Race Across America (RAAM) 2024 as a 2-person women's team in the 50-59 age category. Both are seasoned cyclists with a rich history in ultra-cycling events.

Key Facts:

• Team Name: Team Infinity

• Category: 2-person women's age 50-59 team

• Participants: Sylvia Maas (USA) and Tami Kerns (USA)

• Event: Race Across America (RAAM) 2024

• Background:
• Sylvia Maas: A regular at the World Time Trial Championships (WTTC), with notable participation in the Race Across the West (RAW) both solo and in 2-person teams. A retired high school biology teacher from Borrego Springs.
• Tami Kerns: A standout in the WTTC with top finishes in her age group and part of the "Dos Amigos" team that completed RAAM in 2022. Kerns is a previous winner of RAW's Solo Female Age 50-59 class.

• Previous Collaborations: Maas and Kerns have a history of successful races together, including victories at the Texas Longhorn and the Hoodoo 500. Their compatibility and experience as teammates are well-proven.

• Support Team:
• Crew Chief: Jeremy Kern, Tami Kern's husband, who has experience from Tami's previous RAAM.
• Key Support: Kristi Sisson, Sylvia Maas's partner, will manage the van, complemented by an RV for the team.
• Seasoned Crew: Includes ultra-cycling veterans Tom and Elisabeth Guevara and RAAM 2014 women’s winner Dr. Janice Sheufelt, adding a wealth of experience to the team.

• Training: Maas and Kerns are planning several bike-packing trips and races, including a return to the Texas race, as part of their RAAM preparation.

• Motivation: Beyond setting records, Maas and Kerns are driven by the enjoyment of the event and the camaraderie of the ultra-cycling community.

Team Infinity, with its blend of seasoned athletes, a dedicated crew, and a spirit of adventure, exemplifies the essence of endurance cycling and the deep bonds within the ultra-cycling community.

Related:

• RAAM Facebook
• RACING ACROSS THE WEST FOR BORREGO SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
• 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships: Borrego Springs

Learn More About Borrego Springs