First Graders Pedal Toward Tradition in 37th Annual Tour de L’Academy

Posted October 27, 2025

More than two dozen San Antonio Academy 1st graders gripped their handlebars and took their marks for the 37th Annual Tour de L’Academy Bike Race, a cherished Academy tradition that celebrates courage, camaraderie, and the pure joy of boyhood.

Cheers rose from parents, teachers, and classmates as the young riders—some steady on two wheels, others still mastering training wheels—waited for the signal to go. Each boy stood beside his 7th grade buddy, many of whom had raced the same course six years earlier. The older boys offered words of encouragement and sprinted alongside, urging their younger counterparts to push through the grassy turns of Basse Field to finish strong.

After several exciting rounds, Henry Engelkin surged ahead in the final heat, earning the title of 37th Annual Tour de L’Academy Champion and the honor of donning the coveted yellow jersey. 

The course, which is marked by dirt, bumps, and grass, can be challenging, but that’s part of what makes the event so meaningful. Many boys have been practicing leading up to the big day.

Before the event began, last year’s champion, Gage Shipp, shared a racer’s wisdom with the 1st graders: “Stay close to the inside for the shortest way around.”

The “Tour de L’Academy Bike Race,” modeled after the legendary Tour de France, has remained one of San Antonio Academy’s most beloved rites of passage since its inception in 1989. Many young Academy boys dream of capturing the coveted yellow jersey. But for those on the field, it’s not just about victory. The event emphasizes sportsmanship and brotherhood, with boys learning to support one another through the wins, the losses, and every turn in between.

Special appreciation goes to 1st grade teachers Lindsay Kramme, Moye Mullins, and Alex Jenkins, 7th grade teachers, Coach “Mac” McClintock, and Coach Leon McNeil, for helping to make this cherished tradition possible. Heartfelt thanks also go to the 1st grade parents, 7th grade students, and faculty and staff who cheered them on every pedal of the way.

As the dust settled and the cheers faded, one thing was clear: the spirit of the Academy and the brotherhood that defines it remain strong.
 

For more event photos, visit the Flickr gallery below.