The St Rose of Lima School community once again laced up their sneakers and walked to support their school at its second annual Walk-a-Thon on Friday, May 15.

The Walk-a-Thon is a multi-week fundraising event where students raise funds for St Rose School. Each student is given an individual fundraising page, so they can reach out to friends, family, or relatives for donations. It culminates in an opening ceremony, where students, staff, and volunteers walk around the field beside the school to show their support.

Director of Mission Advancement Lisa Jackson said the cost of tuition alone does not cover the cost of educating each student. In turn, St Rose School has held fundraising events every year to continue operations.

The Walk-a-Thon is one of these fundraising events and was a longstanding tradition that spanned over 20 years. St Rose School took a break from holding the Walk-a-Thon around the mid-2010s so as to diversify its fundraising endeavors, but it returned for the first time in a decade last spring.

"So [the Walk-a-Thon] is an opportunity for us to reach our supporters, and to keep doing what we do," Jackson said.

She said the money raised goes towards the school's security upgrades, enrichment programs, curriculum enhancements, and more that are not covered by tuition alone.

This year, the St Rose School community came together and raised over $48,000, with over half of it being raised by students, according to Jackson. The rest came from outside sponsorships from local businesses.

The weeks of fundraising culminated in a kick-off ceremony, highly anticipated by students and staff alike. After two days of gray skies and rainy weather, the shining sun and gentle breeze on the morning of May 15 made it the perfect day to walk outside.

Students from preschool to eighth grade took to the hill beside the St Rose School field, many of them sporting white Walk-a-Thon fundraiser shirts for the special occasion. Some students also wore red hats, which indicated they raised at least $500 as part of the fundraiser.

There to welcome everyone was St Rose Principal Dr Bardhyl Gjoka. He called the event one of the most joyful and meaningful days of their school year.

"We're thrilled today because of all of the great things that are happening in our school," Gjoka told the crowd. "We couldn't be happier to celebrate it today with the Walk-a-Thon."

Gjoka said the event is amazing for several reasons, not only because students are helping support St Rose School with much-needed funds, but also because it teaches them how to reach out when there is a need.

"And there is always an ever-present need for us, but for them to learn this in a safe environment, it's a very powerful lesson," Gjoka explained. "So it's a multitude of factors when it comes to learning with this, not just simply the money, but understanding how to help someone when they need support, whether it be their families or friends."

Sister Thaddeus Rajca then led everyone in reciting the Hail Mary, asking for safety and hoping nobody would get hurt as they walked the course.

Then it came for the first lap, but in order for that to happen, they needed someone to carry the torch and lead the way. The honor went to first grader Theo Hawli, who raised around $3,600.

Everyone took off and then walked their first lap around the field. Students and staff cheered as Hawli led them through the finish line, walking alongside Gjoka, Rajca, and the school's mascot, Ramsey.

Students could complete laps throughout the day; with each lap they completed, they could write their name on a piece of paper and drop it into one of several raffle boxes.

People talked amongst themselves as they walked lap after lap, cheering each other on while a DJ blasted live music from the speakers. Some students and staff beat the heat by grabbing a slushie from the Kona ice truck.

Gjoka said he could not be more grateful for everyone who donated, sponsored, or volunteered to help for the event. It is this support, he said, that inspires them and pushes them to provide the best education they can for their students.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.