Friday’s 2nd Annual Hoot ‘n Scoot Fun Run brought out the best in the kids at Dr. Howard Elementary in Champaign. The principal, too.
“Most of (the students) remember our event from last year, so they were hyped for the day,” PTA president Whitney Lewis. “Then, much to their surprise, our amazing principal, Sam Turner, joined the kids in the run as well. It was fun to see.’
Hoping to raise $7,500 to put toward making school events “attainable regardless of socioeconomic status,” Lewis said, event organizers are halfway there and could use our help (click here for a donation link or email Lewis at dhpta@u4sd.org). “Our fundraising efforts proved extremely difficult this year,” she said.
Reigning Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon winner Jaime Marcos, a physical education teacher at Dr. Howard, led stretching exercises before cutting the kids loose.”They could skip, hop, run and dance their way around the track,” Lewis said. “Parent volunteers, staff and our mascot Hootie the Owl helped encourage the students as they made their way along.”
At the finish line: a dance party and snacks.
“The students had an absolute blast,” Lewis said.