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Takin' it to the streets
Groups stage meaningful and fun outdoor events to celebrate a variety of worthy causes
Messages of peace and love accompanied the tiedyed shirts and Hippy happiness at the 40th anniversary celebration for White Oak Elementary School on March 25 in Westlake. On Sat., March 28, hordes of runners from across Southern California and even some from out of state competed in the Great Race of Agoura, an annual tradition that signals the start of spring and raises money for local schools. And on Sun., March 29, more than 1,000 people participated in the fourth annual Friendship Walk, an event sponsored by the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle that raises awareness for special needs children and their families. A community with a happy spirit welcomed one and all, and from mid-week to the weekend the weather couldn't have been nicer. Westlake anniversay White Oak celebrated its important anniversary with the unveiling of a commemorative tile wall and a parade down local streets that included fire fighters, sheriffs deputies and city and school officials.
flag emblazoned with "Our Hearts Belong to White Oak."
Each student was pictured within a heart decoration.
The special anniversary was "awesome," one student said. Teacher Cynthia Morrow has been a teacher at White Oak for 27 years. "When I first got here there were hardly any kids," Morrow said. "We were a tiny little school." Some of White Oak's current students are the children of people who attended the school in its early days, Morrow said. Firefighters in a shiny red fire truck lead the parade. Parents and neighbors lined the streets and cheers from children, parents and teachers could be heard up and down the block in the Westlake Village neighborhood. Las Virgenes Unified School District Superintendent Donald Zimring served as the parade grand marshal and waved to the crowds from a convertible. "The kids make the parade," said Rose Dunn, director of elementary education. "I love their tie-dyed shirts." Great Race This year's Great Race at Chumash Park in Agoura Hills offered six events to the runners and walkers. More than 400 medals were awarded to competitors of all ages.
Charlie Serrano of Simi Valley won the Old Agoura 10K at 30:37. Laura Conley of Woodland Hills recorded the fastest women's 10K at 38:18. The Deena Kastor 5K went to Ricky Ho of Carpinteria with a time of 17:18. The race is named for the Olympic marathon medalist who grew up in Agoura Hills. Ryan Harris, and 11-year-old from Oak Park, won the Camp Keystone Kids' One Mile in a time of 5:58. Live music, food, games and giveaways kept the excitement level high throughout the morning hours.
Participants in the Friendship Walk covered approximately three miles through Agoura Hills to support programs for special needs children. The walkers traveled from Canwood Street to Thousand Oaks Boulevard before stopping at Willow Elementary School where a festival and BMX bike stunt show took place. The Conejo Valley Friendship Circle is a local nonprofit organization that serves more than 150 families in the West San Fernando Valley and Conejo Valley. More than 300 teens volunteer to be "buddies" to special needs kids. The Friendship Circle offers childcentered activities including winter camp, volunteer teen training, special outings, fitness programs, music classes, sports leagues, and fairs and festivals. "The number of walkers far surpassed any of our expectations," said Eli Laber, Friendship Circle director. "There was an overwhelming sense of pride and unity among everyone." To date, the walk has raised more than $170,000. John Loesing contributed to this story. |
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