Friends of Hendricks host annual walkathon with $50,000 goal

Posted on March 7, 2018 By Editor Junior Residents

Hendricks Avenue Elementary School Principal Mindy McLendon and Metro Diner managing partner Craig Forster take a lap around the track with students during a pep rally the day before the Feb. 24 walkathon.

The Friends of Hendricks host the annual walkathon to raise funds for Hendricks Avenue Elementary School. Posing with Craig Forster, managing partner for Metro Diner, the walkathon T-shirt sponsor, are Morgaen Brandler, Principal Mindy McLendon, Michele Mathis O’Malley, Cindy Berzsenyi and Amy Maloney.

Students at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School have a special challenge this year for the sixth annual walkathon. If students walk 750 miles (6,000 laps around the track) collectively, Principal Mindy McLendon agreed to become a student for a day.

McLendon is the new principal for the 2017-2018 school year, but had served as assistant principal in years prior. She is ready to strap on a backpack, and join each grade for lessons in math, reading and other typical classroom activities on Friday, March 9.

Other incentives for the Feb. 24 event include cupcake parties, after-school movie parties, a lunchtime ice cream party and, for the group which raises the most funds, an off-campus trip to Dave and Buster’s.

Hosted by the Friends of Hendricks, the annual walkathon raises much-needed funds for the school. This year’s $50,000 goal will be added to the $284,000 raised in the previous five years and which funds a variety of classroom resources, technology equipment, library books, educational supplies and more.