Friday, June 08, 2012 By Austen Rioux and Alex Boissoneault
MUSICAL AND STRONG: Curtis steps out of frozen water, just one of many obstacles she face in just under five hours. -
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Determination, strength, and the willpower to be the best. And a kick-ass singing voice helps too! On May 6th, 2012, music teacher Beth Ayn Curtis ran a the ever-challenging Tough Mudder obstacle course designed the British Special Forces. Each event is filled with mud, water, fire, live wires and numerous other challenges designed to push an individual’s comradery, stamina and mentality. Curtis tackled this monster on Mt.Snow, Vermont alone and came home with a plethora of bruises and scratches, but victorious nonetheless.
Curtis crossed through 10,000 volts of live electrical wires to the finish line where she completed the entire course in four hours time. “I wanted a physical challenge,” Curtis said when asked the reason behind her decision to participate in such a grueling event. It is difficult to think of the soft-spoken music teacher, covered in mud, blood, and sweat from the obstacles in the Tough Mudder, but she says that she will happily do it again, and is planning on creating a team next
time around. “It’s much easier with a team,” said Curtis, “and more fun.” Her favorite obstacle was known as “Walk the Plank”, a 15 foot drop from a wooden platform into cold water below. And her least favorite? “The Berlin Walls” said Curtis, remembering the event. She described this obstacle as two sets of plain 8 foot and 9 foot walls which had to be scaled without the help of any rope or handles.
Students who see the promotional video for the Tough Mudder are shocked that their own music director did such a thing, let alone finish it. “You think of her as a sweet innocent music teacher,” said Sophomore Abi Tait, “It’s crazy.” Senior Rose Dennis also saw the video, claiming, “It’s awesome, I can’t believe she did that,” and that “I would die.” When Curtis tackles the hellish obstacle course next year, she plans on taking South Hadley High alumni Michael Lambert and Lindsey Flemma with her, and is open to to taking any other interested brave souls who are eighteen or over. From talented mentor, to dedicated mother, to warrior athlete, Beth Ayn Curtis is one tough mudder.
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