100 years of Pacelli pride
Published 4:00 pm Saturday, September 29, 2012
Calvin Nuss, Pacelli Catholic Schools first-grader, picks up a wrapper during the annual Pacelli walkathon Friday. Pacelli is celebrating its 100th year this year.
With 100 years of pride on their shoulders, Pacelli Catholic Schools students once again ventured forth into the community to clean up part of downtown Austin Friday for its annual walkathon.
Pacelli Catholic Schools students walk around Mill Pond at least three times Friday morning as part of the school's annual cleanup walkathon. Pacelli is celebrating its 100th year this year.
“It’s a really nice feeling just to be able to go out and help the community,” said Bennett Kraemer, Pacelli ninth-grader.
Pacelli students scoured several blocks in Austin for trash Friday morning, eventually making their way to Mill Pond, where each student walked the Mill Pond trail three times cleaning up the area.
The annual tradition goes back more than 35 years and was started by the Minnesota chapter of the Knights of Columbus, according to Pacelli Elementary Principal Mary Holtorf.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “It gives the kids a sense of purpose. We’ve got to take care of God’s earth and I think this gives them a real sense of purpose.”
Pacelli does the walkathon as part of a fall fundraiser for the school. Holtorf said the total funds raised aren’t calculated yet.
For their part, students seemed to enjoy the time out of class and serve others.
“It’s a fun time to be with your friends and helping the community,” Kraemer said.
