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Skating for a Cause: Senior Jack Sisson Raises Money for Hunger

It's 3,000 miles from Yorktown, Virginia, to San Francisco. But if, like Jack Sisson '09, you want to cover the distance on in-line skates, you'll end up traveling roughly 3,800 miles, because you'll need to detour around a certain Rocky Mountain state that doesn't allow skaters on its highways. Sisson, who plays guitar in Dartmouth's Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, is an ultimate Frisbee player and former cross country runner with a longstanding interest in endurance sports. This summer, he's putting that interest to good use: raising awareness and funds ($3,000 of a $5,000 goal so far, according to a recent article in The Dartmouth) for Action Against Hunger. He graciously answered a few questions in early July, roughly 1,500 miles and seven blog entries into his journey.

How did you choose Action Against Hunger to benefit from your effort?

I came across Action Against Hunger on a charity rating website. AAH was the top-rated charity in the hunger category. I chose hunger because I feel that those without the fundamental necessities of food and water deserve attention and aid.

You are double majoring in math and music. Does that help you pass the long days on skates? Do you find yourself creating word problems like, "Two in-line skaters begin crossing the country the same day. If one leaves Yorktown and is covering 45 miles a day, and the other leaves San Francisco and is covering 35 miles a day, where would they meet?"

[Laughs] Good question. On the math end of things, I'm not sure there's much beyond calculating how much farther I have to go on a given day. However, I did just buy a book on special and general relativity to read in my spare time. On the music end, I'll often run through songs in my head or sing to myself. On days where the road has a safe shoulder, I'll occasionally listen to music.

Any idea where they would meet?

Somewhere in New Mexico, or not at all if they tried to go through Colorado, because they'd both discover skating is illegal there [on state highways].

What's on your iPod? Any songs go through your head as you skate uphill? Downhill?

I have a variety of stuff on my iPod. I don't listen that much, but when I do, it's usually for motivation, so higher-energy music takes priority over the classical stuff, especially on the uphills. On the downhills, if any music is playing in my head, the only lyrics are "don't fall don't fall don't fall." So far, I have complied with that song's request.

What was the first thing your parents said when you proposed the idea to them?

Probably "What?!" or "No!" I don't remember really. They never tried to stop me from doing it, so if it was "no," it was an "I don't believe you" no.

[Jack's mother, Ellen, adds, "My response at first was to ask him to reconsider! I knew he liked to rollerblade, but the idea of skating across the country came as a total surprise to me. As it became clear how passionate Jack was about the trip, I decided my role as a mother should be to support his effort so that he could realize his dream safely and effectively."]

What's your MPPOS [miles per pair of socks]?

So far, 1,450 or so for MPTPOS [miles per two pairs of socks], and the outlook for said socks is positive.

You've no doubt traveled stretches of road that don't see too many in-line skaters. What's the reaction been like?

Honks (mostly friendly), waves, and genuine interest and support at the gas stations I stop at. A few people have offered me rides when I've been going uphill or skating in the rain, all of which I have politely declined.

If someone wanted to host or sponsor you, what's the best way to contact you?

Visit www.skateforhunger.com!