A school-wide 5K run/walk planned by the students of Highlander Way Middle School has raised more than $5,400 to support the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts. The Hawks Care 5K was held Friday, Oct. 13. The event started with a pep assembly and check presentation to the American Red Cross. Students then proceeded outside to participate in the 5K run/walk. The event was planned entirely by the school’s student body.
“I am incredibly proud of our entire student body. Our students did an amazing job planning the Hawks Care 5K, and all of their hard work resulted in a great event,” said Melanie Post, Highlander Way Middle School principal. “Our fundraising goal was $2,000, which we greatly exceeded. It has been amazing to see our school rally around this cause.”
To plan the 5K the school’s sixth-grade students undertook the task of researching various organizations to donate the funds raised by the Hawks Care 5K. After much research and meeting with a longtime volunteer of the American Red Cross, the students selected it as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. Highlander Way seventh-grade students planned the race, and the school’s eighth-grade students used various tactics to promote the race to the school’s student body and contacted local businesses for community donations.