Celebrating success

A celebratory spirit filled the air at Athletic Park Wednesday.

Music blared from speakers, and students from Paddock Lane Elementary School danced along.

The event: a diabetes walk to culminate a fundraising effort by the students for the American Diabetes Association.

“The entire staff and all the students are here,” Paddock Lane Principal Betty Replogle said. “It’s nice the weather cooperated. It’s a great day.”

After gathering in the stands, the students congregated on the track for two laps together, led by Replogle twirling a baton.

The baton twirling was part of a deal where if the fundraiser reached the goal of $2,500, then Replogle would lead the opening laps twirling a baton.

As of the beginning of yesterday’s event, nearly $2,700 had been raised, Replogle said.

Following that, students split off into groups to participate in a variety of activities, rotating through stations that included tug of war, an obstacle course, jumping rope, throwing footballs and others.

“While all the time people are walking,” she said.

Replogle said the event was meant as a way to raise awareness about diabetes and encourage physical activity.

“Paddock Lane is the school that students with diabetes attend,” she said, because there is a full-time nurse on staff there to meet the medical needs of those students.

Replogle said six students with diabetes attend Paddock Lane.