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The venue rocked with a tide of energy, as a mix of more than 270 students representing athletic teams, clubs, arts and music, along with coaches, administrators, and parents, blended for one big pep rally for the school.
A sea of students splashed in Wildcat red swirled around the track, in waves of 10 to 20 abreast. Tall, lanky basketball players flowed together with bouncing, bubbly members of the Dance Team, as DJ Frank Benway’s tunes kept a beating tempo for the rising tide.
Organized by parents, including Laura Kessler, Karen Friedman-Hanna, Joan Clifford, Cynthia Winston, Don Jones and Kristan Bagley Jones, the Walk-a-thon was designed to put the onus on the students to raise money through pledges to support spring sports and activities.
The kids stepped up to the plate, literally, as not only athletes like baseball and softball players participated to protect their vested interests; a strong presence was apparent from teams that play football, soccer, volleyball, and other fall and winter sports. Most of the coaches were also present.
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful idea, getting the students involved, and we hope it’s the beginning of an annual event,” said Superintendent of Schools Mary Gormley.
Even though the fund-raiser was organized under duress of losing spring sports and activities, the feel-good atmosphere of the event had people sharing Gormley’s enthusiasm.
“We’re really excited about the response to this event for the first time,” said Kessler, who was instrumental in planning the day. “We hope to do this event every year. Certainly the need is present, and we just want to have the kids be able to take responsibility for the outcome here to generate the money to fund these sports and activities.”
The organizers set a goal of $30,000, hoping to get between 300 and 500 students to participate. A preliminary tally at the end of the day totaled $28,000, which did not include pledges from the boys’ and girls’ hockey teams, which each had games at the time of the Walk-a-thon. But at the Feb. 3 School Committee meeting, Bagley Jones, a committee member, said the updated figure is $32,000.
“I think it is absolutely wonderful, to look at the number of students going by,” said Principal John Drottar, as he took a break from his time on the track. “They’re showing up in force today to make a statement.”
And that was the marked difference in this fund-raiser: the students. They turned out in droves, not worrying about whether it was “cool” to get involved. It was apparent that they care about the spring activities and are proud of their school.
“I thought it was really cool that everyone was here, because when they first said they wanted a lot of people to come, I didn’t think anyone would show up,” said Kitty Sargent, a freshman who plays volleyball and is a member of several clubs. “But a lot of people did show up, so it was really great.”
Another fund-raiser, “Comedy for a Cause,” is planned for parents and friends this Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Milton Hoosic Club, located at 193 Central Ave. Advance tickets may be purchased by sending a check for $40 to: Student Activities Fund, c/o Leslie Durgin, 30 Old Farm Road, Milton, MA 02186. For more information, contact itsawrapdurgin@hotmail.com.