A run towards a healthier future: BTES 5K

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

“This health fair and run created a great opportunity to talk to my students about a healthy diet and lifestyle.” Robyn McAnany, kindergarten teacher at BTES

A drone buzzed overhead as runners bounced from foot to foot on the start line in anticipation to run as the countdown began. At exactly 9 a.m. on Saturday morning the runners were given the signal, and bounded off to complete the 3.1 mile course.

The race attracted more than 200 preregistered runners, many of which were adorned in tutu’s and fancy bowties. The course took the runners down a trail between Belle Terre Elementary and Indian Trails Middle School, which then looped back to the finish line in the BTES courtyard.

The top three male and female finishers received medallions and special awards were also given to the fastest male and female runners for the sweet heart division in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Eighty vendors shared the space within the Belle Terre Elementary School multi-purpose room throughout the mornings 5K run to educate students and families on healthy life style choices.

Bunnell Elementary students Karissa Jackson, Isabella Miller, Carmella Sweeney, Hope Romaine and Christina Courson developed the organization Flagler HOPE to improve the pediatric experience for Flagler County kids.

Two of the booths were set in place by Bunnell Elementary sixth-grade students who strive to make a difference within the community. The kids are a part of the Community Problem Solvers, an extracurricular school program that encourages the students to identify a problem that exists within the local community. One of the teams developed project H.O.P.E., which is focused on eliminating young children’s fear of Emergency Room Visits.

Bunnell Elementry School students Danny Wolcott, Jermaine Bucknor and Jackson McMillan set up a booth at the BTES Health Fair to bring awareness to the Flagler County families in need with their Garden Raising Environmental Efficiency Network. (G.R.E.E.N.

A second group of young CPS students developed a plan, G.R.E.E.N., or the Garden Raising Environmental Efficiency Network, to help Flagler County families in need through a self-sustainable box garden. The project will help 20 Flagler County families grow their own personal garden.

Visit flaglerhope.org, and flaglergreen.org to learn more about the student’s organizations.