A few students ran, some walked, and a few cut corners of the makeshift track in North Central Park on Friday.

For the corner-cutters, they'd be urged to run on the outside of the yellow boundary line. It was part of a mini-Relay for Life put on by the Missouri Valley Montessori School, 200 W. Turnpike Ave. For two hours, the students would walk, as well as rotate between rest and game stations.

"We thought it would be a great opportunity, even at a young age," to raise awareness, teacher and event organizer Randee Halvorson said.

Prior to the event, they raised money for the American Cancer Society through donations and selling suns and moons for their "Tree of Life." They raised $2,900, surpassing their $2,000 goal.

Marching backwards among the joggers, sprinters and walkers was 6-year-old Cole Herbel.

"We learned how to stay safe from the sun," he said.

He and his classmates have learned about sun safety, tobacco use and other cancer prevention steps leading up to this event.

"Put sunscreen on," 4-year-old Kalyn Boher said. "Use umbrellas. No smoking. It makes your lungs black."

Each day, Halvorson taught her students about a different form of prevention. In addition to the students learning health issues dealing with cancer, she wanted to impress upon them the importance of helping other people.

"We want to instill it at a young age," she said. "They are really excited we reached our goal."

In addition to walking laps, students played basketball, had face painting, played with plastic horseshoes and bounced in an inflatable jumper, among other activities. Parents helped keep the kids moving from activity to activity.

"It's fun to get out of school and do something for a good cause," parent volunteer Brenda LaDuke said.

She has a 3-year-old son who attends Montessori. She volunteers regularly for the school.

Halvorson organized the mini-relay to help make the students more aware and because her mother was diagnosed with cancer last year. Her mother, Jane Silbernagel, is one of the organizers of the Napoleon Relay for Life. Some of the Montessori teachers will be participating in that relay June 1.

Other areas have Relay for Life events coming up. Bismarck Relay for Life is June 2 at Century High School. To find more information about a Relay for Life event or the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarck tribune.com.)