SBHS students walk for March of Dimes

Staff photos by Rob Novit Silver Bluff High School students brave Friday morning's chilly temperatures to participate in a fund-raiser for the March of Dimes.

Hundreds of Silver Bluff High School students paid to walk for charity Friday.

OK, Stephanie Porras didn't walk, but she had a good excuse.

"I fell and broke my leg during soccer practice, but I wasn't going to miss the walk," she said as Tori Bolt and other friends pushed her around the track in a wheelchair.

The students and faculty members donated at least a dollar, and some a lot more, to walk around the school track for one classroom period. The walk raised $2,694 and students also purchased $580, all of which will be donated to the March of Dimes.

The temperatures rose close to lunchtime, but it was still quite chilly around 9 a.m.

"I wanted to give back to the community," said Morgan Martin, "but I really needed my letterman jacket. It's cold!"

Silver Bluff's Key Club sponsored the event. Advisor Mary Thomas credited member Nick Hall, a lieutenant governor for a multi-club division, for coming up with the idea.

The March of Dimes is one of Key Club's international efforts, along with UNICEF and the Children's Miracle Network, said Thomas.

"This is the best," she said. "The kids have been excited about it all week and really jumped on board."

Principal Todd Bornscheuer said he might have chosen to deny the event request, but not during a recession that has caused disruption for so many social service programs.

"It's more important that we step up as a community," Bornscheuer said. "This promotes a healthy lifestyle and may teach the kids something about what it means to give back."

Students Jasamine Smith and Chelsea Parker set a pretty good pace and described the event with enthusiasm.

"It's really exciting to work for a good cause," said Smith. "We wanted to help and do something healthy, too," Parker added.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.