Emerald Park Elementary students jog for dollars, fitness

The school year is off and running at Emerald Park Elementary, where the parent teacher student association hosted its first fundraiser Oct. 2, a Safari Jog-a-Thon that had kids of all ages taking laps around the field behind the school.

Jordan Schaff

Jordan Schaff

The school year is off and running at Emerald Park Elementary, where the parent teacher student association hosted its first fundraiser Oct. 2, a Safari Jog-a-Thon that had kids of all ages taking laps around the field behind the school.

Along with raising money, the event places an emphasis on the importance of keeping active and fit.

“It’s a great way to incorporate fitness into fundraising,” said Emerald Park PTSA board member and event organizer Karen Sims. “We had to do it again!”

This is the second year the PTSA has hosted the event and the hope is to turn it into an annual fundraiser.

“It actually binds the whole school together,” said Principal Dean Ficken, as he walked the loop with the kids. “When the kids talk about something a lot, you know it’s a winner.”

For the kids, the event was an opportunity to have a little fun outside, and get some exercise while they do it.

“I feel great,” said fifth-grader Brianna Cho, 10, after completing 13 of her laps. “My goal is to do 17.”

Cho said she looked forward to the event after having fun last year, where she completed 15 laps of the field.

“It’s a great day. I really look forward to it,” she said. “It’s a great balance of staying healthy in a fun way.”

According to Physical Education Specialist Eric Lofstrom, the jog-a-thon fits in well with the fitness assessments and goal setting he is currently doing with the students, though the goals themselves and the number of laps the students complete are not for grading purposes.

“Instead of me of me grading them or using their scores as grades, they are using them t focus their efforts,” he said.

Lofstrom added that jogging or walking is good exercise and something that just about anyone can do with little or no special equipment.

“Walking and jogging and running are lifetime activities and good ways to stay in shape,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what age group you are in.”

PTSA President Leslie Delfin said her group supports all of the student enrichment activities in the school, from field trips to assemblies to books to supplies to scholarships for the sixth-grade camp and just about everything in between.

Out on the field, Delfin was marking off laps for the younger kids and encouraging everyone to keep walking.

“This is great,” she said. “This is the kickoff to our fundraising.

“Everything we do is for the kids.”

Delfin said the group was hoping to raise about $5,000 this year, down from last year’ total of $7,000, which both she and Sims attributed to the economy.

According to Ficken, the money is extremely helpful, as a single field trip costs $4,000 just in transportation costs. Ficken added that the PTSA is a great partner for the school and always is looking for new ways to mix things up and raise a little money.

There are also prizes available and any student who raises any money at all is entered into a drawing. The students who raised the most money – through a flat donation, not a per-lap donation – will also receive prizes such as a Nintendo Wii or a new bicycle.

But the kids on the field didn’t seem particularly worried about the fundraising or the prizes. They were in it for the fun and the exercise.

“It’s so fun because you get to hang with your friends,” said sixth-grader Meaghen Schneider, 11.

“If you don’t stay fit your heart breaks down,” added fellow sixth-grader McLane Wilsey, 11.

“It’s important to be fit and not be a couch potato,” agreed Justyne Openiano, 11.

Caleb Maitland, 11, added that the event was a good chance to talk to their teacher who was walking for two this year.

“She gets two points for every (lap) because she’s pregnant,” he said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Life

t
Donations begin in Kent for annual Toys for Joy program

Firefighters also run Jerry Woods Holiday Engine program to collect toys, money

t
Entertainers wanted for Talent Quest show in Kent on Jan. 30

People of all ages and talents invited to register for event that will feature cash prizes

In early October, the Tahoma National Cemetery donated over 1,000 pounds of food for King County Veterans Program clients. According to the KCVP Facebook page, 34 food bags were made to give away to local veterans. Photo courtesy of King County Veterans Program
Veteran services throughout South King County

When it comes to local services for veterans and their families, the… Continue reading

Kent Station’s annual Haunted Boo-Levard is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the shopping center. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Station
Kent Station shopping center plans Halloween celebration Oct. 31

Trick or treating at local shops from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

t
Street of Treats Halloween event in downtown Kent set for Oct. 26

A frightfully fun family outing from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11 participating businesses

t
The Wolf’s Hometown Holiday country concert set for Dec. 5 in Kent

Lineup: Jordan Davis, Randy Houser, Warren Zeiders, Jackson Dean, Priscilla Block and Zach Top

My first Marble Queen Pothos, named Frida. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Plants are the new pets: Bringing some lively green to your living space

For people who may be new to house plants or those who want a way to help spruce up their living space, here are a few tips.

Gamers face off in a match of “Tekken” at PAX. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
PAX West: Highlighting local games, charities

It has been 20 years since the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) first… Continue reading

t
Disney on Ice returns Oct. 23-27 to Kent at ShoWare Center

Theme for this year is Magic in the Stars

t
Kent Cider & Ale Trail event set for Oct. 12 in historic downtown

Enjoy ciders, ales and other beverages while enjoying the charm of local shops

In an effort to strengthen King County’s cultural sector and increasing public access to arts, heritage, science, public art and historic preservation education and experiences, 4Culture and Doors Open will bring funding to local non-profit organizations in 2025 and beyond. Susan Point. “Northwind Fishing Weir Legend”, 1997. Carved and painted cedar with cast concrete. Green River Trail, Tukwila, WA. King County Public Art Collection. Photo: joefreemanjunior.com
Doors Open brings millions of dollars to arts and cultural organizations throughout King County

With a minimum of 25% of funding to go to areas outside of Seattle, Doors Open will strengthen public acces to art, heritage, science and historic preservation.