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More Than a Thousand Kids Accept Junior High's Fitness Challenge Event Raises Funds for P.E. Department

Posted on: Friday, 25 March 2005, 00:00 CST

VALENCIA - At first glance, the kids on the blacktop at Rio Norte Junior High School looked like any other students reluctant to get out and exercise.

Then a wiry man wearing a zebra-print hat trimmed with hot pink fur shouted excitedly into the loudspeakers.

Teacher Scott Bell's hat wasn't the most outlandish part of his ensemble: the "32K" shaved into the back of his hair indicated the $32,000 raised in the second annual River Hawk Walk, a fitness challenge and fund-raiser for Rio Norte's physical education department.

"Pace yourselves," he advised passing students, part of the 1,200 walkers who were making the rounds of a half-mile course. "Slow down, enjoy the day."

"Our goal was $20,000, but the kids did so fabulous. Nine thousand came in yesterday," he said. "I've never heard of such a great fund-raiser. Everyone was involved; some teachers gave extra credit in class for getting parents or siblings to walk. Kids earned T-shirts for $30 pledges. It's just great."

Students walked the course with lap cards, getting a stamp at one of several stations that also offered oranges, bagel halves and bottles of water. Each station had a chart telling students what their grade would be depending on the laps completed - six laps got them a C, eight laps an A and 12 laps an A+++.

Eighth-grader Greg Drake, who competes in cross-country after school, finished 17 laps before the last notes of the "Rocky" theme sounded across the playground.

"This is a great event because it collects money for the school," Drake said, adding that he brought in $75. "It's a challenge. But my favorite subject is P.E."

The $32,000 raised will be spent on a climbing wall and on other equipment and supplies. Bell was at a loss to say what else would be purchased, since the goal had been exceeded so quickly and by so much. Last year, participants raised $12,000 for equipment used in the Rio Norte Strength Center, the school weight room.

As the students rounded their last corner, Bell reminded them that the course was a half-mile long and to make sure to divide the laps completed by two to get their total mileage. He estimated that 5,000 miles would be covered in the two-day walk/run by 1,200 students and more than 250 parents, teachers, siblings and administrators.

"Kids this age don't have enough big events," Bell said. "They're so used to seeing extreme this and extreme that, we have to keep up with that."

Rio Norte Principal John Krinkel pledged to run every period with the students and was making good on his pledge in the late morning, stopping to strike a pose for Bell's video camera.

"We have the most innovative P.E. programs in the district," Krinkel boasted. "We get equipment and do events to teach cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship, things the students will carry for the rest of their lives. If a student isn't physically strong, they learn to juggle; some of them excel at Frisbee golf. Our job is to get each student to buy into the experience."

Eighth-graders Aileen Kim and Katie Posler were exhausted at the end of their laps, which they alternately ran and walked.

"They say to walk, but it's more fun to run," said Posler.

Carol Rock, (661) 257-5252

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

Source: Daily News; Los Angeles, Calif.

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