A Jog-A-Thon Inspires Students and Staff
Old Town Academy Charter School (OTA) held its second-annual Jog-a-thon on Friday, November 2, 2012, to raise funds to continue to supplement its academic programs. OTA’s motto is “Equity and Excellence for All Students” and the spirit of that motto was ever-present throughout the day. Beginning with the Star Spangled Banner sung by the student choir, OTA was presented by the Navy Seals with an American Flag that flew over Camp Ripley, Afghanistan, on September 11, 2012, and now flies over the OTA campus.
OTA kinder students gather at the starting line as OTA Board Chair, Chris Celentino, introduces guest Tony Gwunn Jr. to run the first Jog-a-thon lap with the kinders.
County Supervisor Ron Roberts accepted the flag on behalf of the school to the roaring applause from the 250-plus students and dozens of parent volunteers. Shortly thereafter, as the children were lining up for the race announcements, the Padres Friar made a guest appearance, and really got the crowd going to welcome special guest Tony Gwynn Jr., who ran laps with the kindergarten students.
All 250-plus students participated in the spirited event, but perhaps the most touching moment occurred when the time came for the third grade to begin their running assignment — the third graders announced that they had voted to wait for their classmate, Parker, to run his very first solo lap. Their classmate, Parker, excels despite his cerebral palsy, a condition which makes walking, not to mention running, a challenge. The crowd was inspired and responded with a deafening roar as Parker motored around the field for his first of 15 laps and then, one by one, each third grader gave him a “high five” and took off on their own mission — to run laps to raise money for the school.
All told, it looks like the school will net approximately $26,000 from the students’ efforts. Charter schools, like OTA, are required to do more with less, as they receive less challenge at OTA to be second-to-none. Find out more at www.oldtownacademy.org.
Category: Education, Local News
