Whispering Pines Elementary’s PTA hosted its second annual Walk-A-Thon at the school on Sept. 23, and the work of the students, teachers and parents made it a success once again, according to the school’s PTA president Renee Y. Espinosa.
“Our hope was highlighting awareness of becoming healthier people through exercise, diet and life choices,” Espinosa said. “This year, the Miami Dolphins kicked off the efforts with their Dol-Fit program. Dol-Fit is a fun, upbeat interactive assembly designed to encourage students to become fit through education, physical fitness and positive choices.”
For the second year, the Walk-AThon also was an opportunity for the school to raise funds for educational programs that are funded through the PTA in an effort to enhance the students’ educational experience.
Rachel Blackburn, a PTA vice president, explained.
“We had hopes of doubling both our participation as well as our income from last year,” Blackburn said. “Our participation was just shy of that mark, but the students’ fundraising efforts knocked it out of the park.”
Whispering Pines Elementary principal Tamela Brown was pleased with how the Walk-A-Thon turned out this year.
“The children were all very enthusiastic and energized about the event,” Brown said. “Those that participated really seemed to have enjoyed themselves as well as the many volunteers that provided support.”
The Walk-A-Thon, which Espinosa said is now being referred to by many as more of a “sports-a-thon” would not have been nearly as successful without the generous support from Zoo Miami, BJs Wholesale Club, Target, Publix #328, SuperWheels, Palmetto Bay Mini Golf, Miami Science Museum, All Stars Frozen Yogurt, Miami Fitness Gallery, Pepsi Co., Baptist Children’s Diagnostic Center, Jumperoos, My Gym, Integrity Martial Arts, Kendall Collision, S. Dade Family YMCA, International Gymnastics and Burger King.
“The students, faculty, staff and parents should all be very proud of the overwhelming success of this event,” PTA vice president, Maria DeLaTorre said.
PTA members say they hope to continue the tradition for many years to come.
