KAPA‘A — St. Catherine School in Kapa‘a became the latest school to participate in the Walking School Bus, Wednesday. Coinciding with Walk to School Day, some 48 students, parents and Celina Haugh, the school’s principal, shared the sidewalk along Kawaihau
KAPA‘A — St. Catherine School in Kapa‘a became the latest school to participate in the Walking School Bus, Wednesday.
Coinciding with Walk to School Day, some 48 students, parents and Celina Haugh, the school’s principal, shared the sidewalk along Kawaihau Road with another 100 students and parents from Kapa‘a elementary and high schools. The entourage received help from Kaua‘i Police Department officers who assisted at intersections.
“This is more than health,” said Sean Texeira, a St. Catherine alumnus who was representing Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “One day, you’re all going to remember this experience and the time you spent with your parents walking to school. This event helps build community.”
That spirit of camaraderie prevailed as students in green shirts, Kapa‘a’s school color, and burgundy shirts, St. Catherine’s color, mingled and chatted while making their way to school. The snaking line was only interrupted at the entrance of St. Catherine, where the Kapa‘a students continued on down Kawaihau Road.
Jenn Linton, the Walk to School coordinator, said some 48 students of the 162 student population of St. Catherine participated in the first Walking School Bus.
“That’s about 30 percent of the school’s population,” Linton said. “Our next Walk to School will take place Nov. 23, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We won’t have any new schools doing the Walking School Bus until January when Kekaha School is planning an event.”
Students participating signed slips of paper for an opportunity to win a bicycle given away by Walking School Bus coordinators. Edward Silliman was the lucky winner this walk.
Students were also treated to a second bicycle donated by Father Somera Ramelo of St. Catherine Church. This bike was won by Billy Victorino.
The Walk to School program, designated as the last Wednesday of each month, is coordinated through Get Fit Kaua‘i.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
