Each May, Washington Discovery Academy holds a 5K race at Centennial Park. To most, a 5K race means they show up the day of and run. However, to each third grade class that comes through the school, this race means a little more.
This year was the fourth annual 5K Color Race for WDA. Each year students and teachers choose a cause to benefit with the funds raised. This year Marshall County Neighborhood Center was the cause, and the students were eager to help. Keeping the Neighborhood Center in mind, and the current third grade class needs, “Color With Kindness” was born.
Throughout the project, the students learned through books, community members, and trips around the community. Students studied characters in books, and identified how they showed perseverance, agency, and kindness. The students heard from professional athletes about how to be healthy in their exercise and diet. A walking trip was taken to the Neighborhood Center to see the space, how they helped the community, and learned what they would need from the students. Throughout the ten weeks of learning, students could be seen training outside to prepare for a 5k race, and inside the room on rainy days doing workout videos.
A main focus however, was how the students dove into showing kindness and celebrating when they saw others being kind. It spread like wildfire throughout the grade, and eventually throughout the school. Students knew that the Neighborhood Center needed support, and being kind was the answer to that. For so many of our families who rely on support from the community it was an opportunity to give back and to experience that feeling when helping others. We defined kindness as being friendly, generous, and compassionate towards others without expecting anything in return. The most rewarding part of this experience for everyone involved has been the joy others have experienced from acts of kindness, both big and small.
The impact that this has had on the students will hopefully be everlasting. Creating positive members of our community is a huge goal for the teachers with this project. Third Grade student Nick Miller said, “The most important part to me was donating to the Neighborhood Center and giving them a lot of money. And I know that was important because if I didn’t have any money, food, clothes, or house or anything, I would want somebody to help me. I’m just glad we got to help them and see families with a smile on their faces because they got what they needed.”
“The most important thing I learned was to help people if they need help. We helped people and it felt good.” student Birkley Cooper said.
“I learned to ALWAYS be kind to others.” said Aalyiah Tapia.
As the project was being completed, students were able to get more sponsors for the race than ever before. This empowered them to continue working hard knowing they had the support from many community members. The day of the race, we had several local businesses donate to a raffle basket, and other businesses come sell their products. After it was all said and done, the Washington Discovery Academy Third Grade students were able to raise a total of $2531.00 to donate to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. They were able to present the check to Director Chris Garner this Wednesday.
Article and photos provided.
