THE 11th annual District II/ Camille Henry Memorial School Fun Walk, under the theme “Healthy Bodies for Energetic Minds” was hailed as a huge success by the organizers as a record 1300 students turned out for the 3 kilometre exercise, but not before the organizers kept a close watch on the weather.
With five Mobile Discos playing at their loudest, the music could have been heard in the distance as students, teachers and parents walked/ danced and chipped to some of their favourite songs such as “I know who I am and Way Maker by Sinach and “Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobbs.
The route which was supervised by four outriders from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) Traffic Department took the students from the Camille Henry Memorial School ground – left to L’ Anse Road, right onto Desir Avenue, Left onto Serenity Park, Right Onto Mc Vane Avenue, Left by First Baptiste Church, Left onto Julian Charles Drive, Right onto Desir Avenue, Left onto Morris Mason Avenue, Right onto Carnation Drive, Left onto Hibiscus Crescent, Left onto L’Anse Road – back to Camille Henry Memorial School.
The VOICE spoke to Chief Education Officer for District II Martha Foster, who said, “For the last 11 years we have been hosting this grand event to commence the sports term and no better way to do that than by having a fun walk to engage our students so that they are aware of the importance of physical activity on the brain.”
In terms of participation, “This year we have 100 percent participation; normally the event started off as a primary school event, we have seen the need to include our secondary schools as well, the district comprises 13 schools (8 primary / 5 secondary schools) we have all the schools participating.” noted Foster.
There was also an education aspect. Foster said, “We have collaborated with the Diabetic Association, as we recognize the need to move away from those simple carbohydrate foods that create this problem of diabetes in the country. They will educate our students on healthy eating so they can eliminate this terrible disease.”
She continued, “District II is working hard, we are known as being an academic district and we are coming up in the ranks of being a sporting district as well. We recognize the importance of physical activities on the brain so we want to make sure the two go hand in hand.”
Foster took the time to thank the RSLPF, the Saint Lucia Red Cross Society, the Nurses Association, National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization For Music Rights (ECCO) Inc.
Christopher Duncan, District II Sports Coordinator gave a synopsis on the event, he said, “It is the activity that commence our new sports year, it was the most successful event over the 11 years. We had St. Mary’s College for the first time; we also tried a new kind of entertainment, Mobile Discos on the road and it seems to have an unweaving success, the students enjoyed it, the music was closer to them.”
Duncan said, “It’s a wonderful event, all our objectives have been met, it went beyond our expectations and we’re looking forward to making it even better in 2020.”
In terms of a 10.00 a.m. and the scorching heat, will one see a 9.00 a.m. start next year? “It can be a consideration; we have to continue working closely with the Traffic Department to make it happen, if they can make the 9.00 a.m. start and there is no accident on the road why not, the earlier the better.” Duncan noted.
