St. Dominic Students Pound the Pavement to Support Their School

students pounded the pavement for dollars Friday morning.

Nearly 200 students, as well as volunteers and family members of all ages, walked the trails surrounding  and the Rachel Carson Nature Area to raise money for their school.

Principal Vicki Kalina Marvin, who laced up her sneakers to join the walkers, proclaimed the walk a success.

“It’s going very well,” she said as she stopped for a moment at a check point along Jefferson Parkway in front of Bridgewater Elementary. “There is so much energy, so much enthusiasm.”

St. Dominic students are well versed when it comes to fundraising walks. The school has taken part in similar events since 1974 as part of the Minnesota Marathon for Nonpublic Schools program, sponsored by the Minnesota Knights of Columbus .

Jane Bartho, St. Dominic administrative assistant, said virtually all of the money collected by students during Friday’s walk will be used at the school.

“It stays here and really helps out our programs,” she said.

Except for a few strong gusts of wind here and there, Friday’s weather was ideal for walkers. Most students walked the paved trails surrounding Bridgewater. Their walking distance depended on grade level, ranging from one to five miles.

Kindergarteners and preschool students had their own route, circling the track between Bridgewater and for 45 minutes. Parents, some pushing strollers around the rubberized track, were on hand to help out.

Students in preschool through seventh grade walked Friday morning. Eighth-graders who typically attend programming at Northfield Middle School Friday morning, were scheduled to complete their walks Friday afternoon.

After completing their hike, students returned to their school for an ice cream social.