Chelsea Elementary Students Walking to Chelsea, England
By Emily Marshia

Chelsea elementary students have walked over 900 miles so far this year, landing them right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the way to their virtual destination, of Chelsea, England.

The morning gym program teams elementary students with peer mentors, who serve as their cheerleaders and odometers, for games and physical activity before the start of the school day. Each morning, the children are encouraged to walk a minimum of five laps in order to take part in the activities on the main floor.

For every 10 laps walked, the students earn a "mile," represented by a foot charm. At intervals of 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles, the students earn incentive prizes such as water bottles, jump ropes, hackey sacks, kick balls, backpacks, and the like.

Joe Laston, a senior, and Courtney Ferris, a sophomore, the program's peer mentors, join the students every morning in the gym to facilitate games, keep track of the group's progress, and keep the energy level high. With a total of approximately 3200 miles to walk, the club has quite a challenge ahead! 

At the end of the year, the students will have a special supper of fish and chips and bangers and mash (sausage and potatoes) to celebrate their efforts!

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