Racing is cool at this Herkimer school

Parents lined up along the Herkimer street, bundled in hooded sweatshirts and sipping Dunkin' Donuts coffee, with cameras in hand.

As Sister Rosalie Kelley, CSJ, sounded a horn, the theme song from "Rocky" began playing and a herd of students stormed out of the main doors of St. Francis de Sales School like a slow-moving stampede. Flashes went off and cheering began: The school's third annual "Race for Education" was underway.

"We feel blessed to have this school be alive and vibrant," said Colleen Petucci, president of the Parent-Student Association at St. Francis de Sales.

"Today is a wonderful showing of school community and spirit," boasted Danielle Jalow-iez, a parent. "It's a great day to be a Catholic in Herkimer."

The Race for Education is a nationwide marathon through which students and teachers walk for an hour to raise money for their school. Participants are asked to raise funds by asking sponsors to contribute donations, which are tax-deductible.

Heaven-sent
Kristin Pawlusik, treasurer and former president of the PSA, believes that the information about the race that arrived in the mail one day "was from God. Before you know it, we sat down together and were eating breakfast and decided to try it."

A drawing of a thermometer posted in the school's hallway shows how much money is raised through the race. The first year, participants needed to raise at least $5,000; they ended up raising more than $23,000.

"I thought, 'Well, I guess we got over the $5,000 mark,'" Mrs. Pawlusik recalled.

Prior to this year's Oct. 23 race, the school had raised $16,000 and expected the total to be higher by the end of the day.

"It's a great day, but it's a tremendous amount of work," remarked Sister Rosalie, principal. St. Francis de Sales opened in 1921. Today, it is the only Catholic school in Herkimer County and enrolls 132 students. By holding events like the Race for Education, the school is able to keep moving forward at a time when many Catholic schools are struggling with enrollment and finances. For the students, the Race for Education is just an exciting day.

"It's always a fun time for us," said sixth-grader Kyle Lynch.

"We get to see our parents in school and we get to eat," added classmate Ronnie Decker.

Walk, then dance
When the students finished their walk around the school, they were treated to doughnuts and hot chocolate indoors and were invited to go back outside and dance in the parking lot, where a special DJ was spinning tunes.

The students were not the only ones who were enjoying themselves. "There's so much energy, so much fun and tons of school spirit," said Lisa Wind, whose daughter is a fifth-grader at St. Francis de Sales. "Everyone gets so excited. There wasn't any trouble getting my daughter up for school today."

Other parents felt it was nice to see their children helping out their own school.

"It's good to get kids involved in things like this," said Sam Luc, whose son is in

pre-Kindergarten. "It's good for them to raise money for their school and get them involved." The students also get rewards. Prizes - from Wal-Mart gift certificates to homework passes and "cookie cards" - are given to those who have some of the most sponsors. Each class in which every student has at least five sponsors receives a movie-and-popcorn party, and the student in each grade with the most sponsors is treated to a limo ride and lunch at Pizza Hut with Sister Rosalie. The kids seemed to understand the larger reason for for race, as well.

"It's really special for our school," said fifth-grader Keri Moore as she ate her cinnamon doughnut and washed it down with some hot chocolate. "Plus, we also have a lot of fun."

(11/05/09)