MICDS Teacher Biking Cross-Country in Lung Disease Benefit

A teacher from  in Ladue has raised pledges worth $7,000 toward her $9,000 goal in a cross-country bike-riding trip that will start in mid-June.

Larissa Powers, a science teacher and the assistant varsity cycling coach at MICDS, is one of 17 riders who will participate in the Big Ride Across America from Seattle to Washington DC.

In a news release, Powers, 29, said she learned of the ride in 2010 when one of her former students completed it.

She said her goal is to raise $3 per mile, which would mean a total contribution to the American Lung Association of $9,900. She said she's gotten pledges totalling about $7,000 so far.

The ride is expected to take about 49 days, covering about 83 miles a day. Donations can be made here.

Look for a more detailed article about Larissa Powers and her cross-country attempt in a Ladue-Frontenac Patch article on Saturday.