Despite the dark, the chilly weather, and the fact the students' home school is under construction, about 100 students turned out for the annual Enota Elementary Walk to School Day Wednesday morning.
The annual event took a turn this year as students walked through Wilshire Park to get to Centennial Arts Academy, instead of from two locations near the Enota site to get to that school.
"Typically at Enota, we walk from two different locations and meet in the middle but here, we're gathering at one location and all walking together," said Alison Toller, chair of Walk to School Day. "Usually we have breakfast in the cafeteria together but this year we're pressed for space in the new cafeteria so we're having donuts here before we go."
Students, clad in fleece jackets, tennis shoes and with their book bags secured on their backs were excited to brave the trail and get off the bus or out of the carpool line. While several students had previously participated in Walk to School Day, some were experiencing it for the first time.
"I've done it (Walk to School Day) and I'm looking forward to this year because we get to walk through Wilshire Trails and we get to see all the beautiful things on the trail," said Scarlet Early, a third grade student.
"I think it's going to be really crowded and it's going to be hard to walk because a lot of people are going to want to run," said Avery Allen, a third grader, who was walking to school for the first time this year. Allen's predictions came true around 7 a.m., as students in front charged forward, and took a running start down the trail.
Listen to more student's experiences Wednesday morning by clicking the play button above.
Enota Elementary is currently under construction on South Enota Drive. It is expected to be completed and ready for students at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
