Message from our district superintendent, Cynthia Simms:
Everyone had a heck of a good time at the “First Ever” Walnut Valley USD 5K
run/walk and 1K walk to celebrate Walnut Valley’s 40th Birthday. It was held Sunday, May 2.
Over 2,000 runners and walkers turned out to enjoy the cool morning, with
hundreds of watchers to cheer them on. The 5K (3.1 miles) route started
at the Diamond Bar High School track, flowed down the ramp onto Brea
Canyon Road, turned right onto Pathfinder, right again on Diamond Bar
Boulevard, with a right on Cold Spring just past the Diamond Bar Car
Wash. We turned left onto Evergreen Road, running past Castle Rock
Elementary (the 2 mile mark), and right again onto Brea Canyon Road where
it was all uphill until we turned right onto the ramp taking us back to
the DBHS track. We circled the stadium to the cheers and applause of
well-wishers before crossing the finish line with the reward of a “Happy
Birthday WVUSD” medal for finishing the race.
1K (6/10th of a mile) walkers, strollers, and short-legged runners
circled the DBHS track twice to cheers from parents, teachers, friends,
and on-lookers. Imagine 5 year olds charging around the track, parents
pushing strollers, and walkers appreciative for the choice of a 1K.
What fun! Finishers earned a “Happy Birthday WVUSD” medal, and lots of
hugs, too.
Competition was fierce between schools to win the “First Ever” WVUSD
5K/1K Spirit Cup, honoring schools with the most runners.
Congratulations go to Evergreen Elementary School, Chaparral Middle
School, and Diamond Bar High School. I hear that Evergreen Principal
Don Trimmer promised a water gun fight if more than 100 students
registered and that Chaparral Interim Principal Ron Thibodeaux promised
to dress up in a full-sized chicken suit and cluck if more than 300
students signed up to run/walk. It worked!
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the 5K and 1K were announced, but
my pen wasn’t handy. I will share their names with you next week.
The best part was the spirit of the morning. Thousands of people came
to celebrate Walnut Valley’s 40th Birthday…students of all ages, painted
purple and gold, dressed in school tee-shirts or caps…teachers and
classified staff and administrators from all schools and sites…parents,
grandparents, Board of Trustees members, community members, local
dignitaries…all there to spend a morning celebrating Walnut Valley. It
was a remarkable sight!
Where did the idea come from? It started at the Community Forum held
last November to generate revenue raising ideas to continue the
outstanding education provided by WVUSD. Parent Steve Wesley suggested
a 5K race. BTSA Director Janet Green and South Pointe Middle School
Assistant Principal Jean Chung suggested a 40th Birthday Celebration.
The two groups got together and the rest is history.
Everyone had a heck of a good time at the “First Ever” Walnut Valley USD 5K
run/walk and 1K walk to celebrate Walnut Valley’s 40th Birthday. It was held Sunday, May 2.
Over 2,000 runners and walkers turned out to enjoy the cool morning, with
hundreds of watchers to cheer them on. The 5K (3.1 miles) route started
at the Diamond Bar High School track, flowed down the ramp onto Brea
Canyon Road, turned right onto Pathfinder, right again on Diamond Bar
Boulevard, with a right on Cold Spring just past the Diamond Bar Car
Wash. We turned left onto Evergreen Road, running past Castle Rock
Elementary (the 2 mile mark), and right again onto Brea Canyon Road where
it was all uphill until we turned right onto the ramp taking us back to
the DBHS track. We circled the stadium to the cheers and applause of
well-wishers before crossing the finish line with the reward of a “Happy
Birthday WVUSD” medal for finishing the race.
1K (6/10th of a mile) walkers, strollers, and short-legged runners
circled the DBHS track twice to cheers from parents, teachers, friends,
and on-lookers. Imagine 5 year olds charging around the track, parents
pushing strollers, and walkers appreciative for the choice of a 1K.
What fun! Finishers earned a “Happy Birthday WVUSD” medal, and lots of
hugs, too.
Competition was fierce between schools to win the “First Ever” WVUSD
5K/1K Spirit Cup, honoring schools with the most runners.
Congratulations go to Evergreen Elementary School, Chaparral Middle
School, and Diamond Bar High School. I hear that Evergreen Principal
Don Trimmer promised a water gun fight if more than 100 students
registered and that Chaparral Interim Principal Ron Thibodeaux promised
to dress up in a full-sized chicken suit and cluck if more than 300
students signed up to run/walk. It worked!
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the 5K and 1K were announced, but
my pen wasn’t handy. I will share their names with you next week.
The best part was the spirit of the morning. Thousands of people came
to celebrate Walnut Valley’s 40th Birthday…students of all ages, painted
purple and gold, dressed in school tee-shirts or caps…teachers and
classified staff and administrators from all schools and sites…parents,
grandparents, Board of Trustees members, community members, local
dignitaries…all there to spend a morning celebrating Walnut Valley. It
was a remarkable sight!
Where did the idea come from? It started at the Community Forum held
last November to generate revenue raising ideas to continue the
outstanding education provided by WVUSD. Parent Steve Wesley suggested
a 5K race. BTSA Director Janet Green and South Pointe Middle School
Assistant Principal Jean Chung suggested a 40th Birthday Celebration.
The two groups got together and the rest is history.