Several hundred students and their families took part in Walk to School Day Wednesday as they walked to Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy
Walk to School Chairman Alison Toller said it's more than an annual tradition, it's a national day.
"We just promote healthy lifestyles by walking to school in two groups, we meet up at the corner and all walk in together," said Toller. "It gets people thinking how they can be healthier, walk to school more often, bike to school, things like that."
Students of all grades were represented at this year's walk, from first to fifth graders.
"You get to walk with your friends!" said first grader Harrison. "I chose to walk to school because its a tradition," said Patrick, first grade. Harrison, Emmett, Patrick, Issac, J.R. and Caroline were excited to walk to school with their friends and were enjoying their school year as first graders so far.
"This is our last year," said Caroline, a fifth grader. "We'll do it next year," said Lily Grace, also a fifth grader. "All of us have siblings so we'll do it next year." Fifth graders Reagan, Mae, Molly, Lily Grace, Caroline, Caroline and Claire all agreed they enjoyed the tradition enough they'd come back and support their younger siblings next year.
Older siblings weren't the only ones joining the merry crew Wednesday morning. Parents, pets, and even school board members and the superintendent joined in as Gainesville Police and Gainesville Fire escorted the two groups from the Junior League Lodge and Green's Grocery. They met in the middle at the intersection of Enota Avenue and Riverside Drive.
When they arrived at the new school on South Enota Drive, students who walked were treated to breakfast in the cafeteria before heading off to class.
