BENNINGTON — Students from the School of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales got a workout and raised money for their school on Tuesday with the seventh annual Race for Education.
Students sent over 3,000 personal letters to friends and family members asking for sponsors for the hour-long walk/run around the Mount Anthony Union High School track, said Sacred Heart Principal David Estes.
Office manager Linda Guetti said that as of Tuesday afternoon the students had raised over $14,000 for the school, close to their goal of $15,000. Guetti said that money usually comes in for about a week after the event, so they remain hopeful that they will it that goal. If they do, academic support teacher James Caswell has offered to receive a pie to the face.
Estes said that the money raised by the Race for Education goes toward end of year activities, as well as the normal operating expenses of the school.
Students and their teachers walked from Sacred Heart to MAU on Tuesday morning, where they were joined by parents, grandparents, and even some younger siblings in strollers. Rev. Robert Wiseman also stopped by on his bicycle to take a few laps with the students.
Estes said the event promotes exercise and personal responsibility, as well as fostering a sense of community and common purpose within the school.
Sacred Heart is a pre-K through eighth grade Catholic School in Bennington that serves about 160 students.
Reach staff writer Derek Carson at 802-447-7567, ext. 122 or @DerekCarsonBB
