Braddock Elementary Students, Staff, Families Come Together at Walkathon

students, teachers, and their families took to the pavement on Friday, Nov. 11 for the school’s second annual Walk for Education Walkathon in an effort to raise funds for the school.

Younger students walked a single one-mile lap while older students walked or ran two to three laps around the course, which encircled the school building.

“I think it’s great because it’s a new kind of fundraiser,” said Jennifer Daniels, mother to a second-grader and a fourth-grader at Braddock. “They used to do more selling of merchandise. Now fundraisers tend to be the kids doing more things and it’s focused on fitness,” Daniels said. 

Students solicited sponsors prior to the walkathon. Parent-Teacher Association President Mike Tran estimates the walkathon will yield up to $6,000 that will go to enrichment activities, field trips and more.  The students will also have an opportunity to vote on the use of a portion of the money raised.

Although the students benefit the most from the event, the parents have a great time as well, mostly because their children enjoy it.

“The kids are very happy when the parents get involved. If they know parents are involved I think that makes a big difference,” said Blanca Gonzalez, who participated in the event with her husband, Marco, and their two children.

Fourth-graders Rachel and Hailey ran most of the course and said they enjoyed the opportunity to raise money while exercising. “Everybody’s really nice and it’s a great community and we learn a lot,” said Tran about why she likes attending Braddock.

Harry Cordellos, known as the world’s greatest blind athlete, spoke to the students about overcoming obstacles and getting fit. Physical Education teachers Alex Winiewicz and Ken Jackson energized each class before they began their course and chanted, “one more lap!” as students walked past. The teachers posted health and fitness trivia along the route to encourage dialogue about “health and fitness and how good it is to be active as well as eating healthy”, according to Jackson. Participants received bottled water and bananas at the finish line, provided by

The school’s PTA encouraged parents to commit to five hours of volunteer service this school year and parents like Stacy Arth, Title 1 representative for Braddock ES, saw it as the perfect opportunity to fulfill volunteer hours.

“My child was so excited. Last week, all week, he was really looking forward to today because it’s something special when your parents come to support you,” said Arth.

In addition to the walkathon, the school also hosted its Thanksgiving luncheon on Friday.

“It’s just exciting because they mix Thanksgiving with the walkathon. It’s a chance to raise money and it’s great to see Principal Botzin serving food in the cafeteria,” said Dr. Gary Santora, whose son John is a fourth-grader at Braddock.

The school plans to continue the tradition of walkathons in future years.