MVK students take part in annual Walk to School
MAZON — Approximately 200 students, teachers, staff and parents walked to Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elementary School on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to celebrate International Walk to School Day.
The sound of students chanting could be heard as each grade marched from the Mazon Park to the elementary school.
Frank Halpin, county board chairman, and Ken Iverson, county board member, led students across Grand Ridge Road and down to the school. Once students reached the school, everyone was given an apple or banana, muffin and milk for participating in the walk.
Following the small breakfast snack, Chairman Halpin and Keegan Kociss, representative for State Representative Careen Gordon, welcomed everyone before the program was presented to the students to explain why it’s important to walk to school.
To start out the program, Tasha Bunting, with the Grundy County Farm Bureau, spoke briefly about safety while walking. Natalie Mahler with the Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District continued by talking about how students can help the environment by walking to school. She explained different ways the students who enjoy walking and want to make a difference in the environment can continue the walking program throughout the year.
By walking more and driving less, students and parents are helping to keep the air we breathe clean and the environment healthier.
John Davis, youth educator with the U of I Extension in Grundy County, spoke briefly about the health benefits of walking, and the importance of physical activity and being healthy in our daily lives.
To follow up on his comments and to close the program, Davis did a demonstration of the “Get Up and Move” activities and the different ways we need to exercise.
Walk to School Day would not have been possible without the generous support of local businesses and agencies.
A big thank you goes to Walmart in Morris for donating the fruit and muffins. Also, thank you goes to MKM Oil – Shell Fast ‘n’ Fresh for the donation of milk and juice. Thank you to Representative Gordon’s office for sending a representative to speak on her behalf and county board members Frank Halpin and Ken Iverson for helping encourage the event and walking to school with the children.
A thank you also goes to Jeff Marques with the Mazon Police Department and the Grundy County Sheriff’s department, especially Deputy Mike James, for escorting the children on their walk from the park. Also, thank you to LyondellBassell and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers for the goodies that were provided to the children.
Finally, none of the day’s festivities would have been possible without the Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Grundy County Office of Solid Waste and the Grundy County Farm Bureau, organizing and promoting the event for the students to enjoy.
