The annual LFHS Wellness Walk took place Monday on the front lawn, an event that unites students and teachers alike to take a break from school work for a few hours. Despite the cold weather, students were still able to enjoy the festivities organized by the APT.
The walk, which includes food trucks, inflatable activities, and of course, a walk around the town, has been coming together for the past three months. The APT does lots of work behind the scenes to ensure a smooth, fun, and beneficial experience for everyone involved.
Mr. John Maher kicked off the event back in 2012 as a way to take everyone’s mind off of school for a bit. There have been different types of events dating back to 2002, but over the years, it has morphed into what it is today.
“We use the walk to appreciate what everybody’s gone through from the year. To appreciate that the seniors are going to have senior finals next week, and that we just need to kind of stop and look around, as Ferris Bueller once said,” Mr. Maher said.
The moms on the APT are a big part of preparing for the event. The initial meetings begin with deciding t-shirt designs and colors before getting feedback from the senior student council. Nicole Peterson, who has a great taste for graphics and figuring out what’s trending, tries to play off designs from what sororities and fraternities are wearing.
Mrs. Brincat, who’s in charge of Special Events, said that planning the Wellness Walk this year was easier than last year due to the addition of food trucks, which was a hit with students. This year, they brought back familiar trucks and added some new ones too, like Buffos, Dos Amigos, Toasty Cheese, and Kona Ice.
Controversies surrounding the walk continue to come up year after year regarding whether or not it’s worth it to take time out of the school day, but the APT has no plans on taking it away in years to come. In fact, they will “always look at what else [they] can do and what else [they] can add.”
“Do I believe that we are going to do it next year? Yes. For anybody who thinks it’s a waste, it’s only three hours out of the day. It’s not a radically different schedule— all of the classes still meet, and I get a lot of positive feedback,” Mr. Maher said.
Students reflect this positive outlook on the Walk, as many find that it is a nice bonding experience and whole school activity towards the end of the year.
“The walk is something I look forward to every year because it’s a great break from classes and it unites the school. I love how it’s an outdoor activity that everyone in the school can participate in,” senior Lexi Bentley said.
LFHS continues to prioritize mental health and the well being of the community each day, but the walk is just one small contribution to a greater cause.
“I think where we’ve landed now is a nice negotiation of time to acknowledge our seniors and retirees walk out, the drumline, this is something I think adds to the charm of our school and community,” Mr. Maher.
