At Robertson Road Elementary, the name says it all. The Roadrunners are living up to their mascot every Friday when the entire school takes to the field for a mile run that has quickly become a campus favorite.
It all began last year when now fifth grader Frederick Reynoso suggested to his principal, Guillermo López Romo, that they should start doing push-ups together. That small spark of motivation quickly picked up speed and grew into something much bigger.
“I started running the mile with students,” López Romo said. “I invited teachers to use it as an incentive, something fun that got kids moving. Before long, not just a few students joined in; nearly the entire school did.”
Now, every Friday, the Robertson Road “Roadrunners” lace up their sneakers and take to the field. Teachers line up their classes and lead students in a collective stretch before the run begins. Upbeat music fills the air as staff mark each student’s hand for every completed lap, fueling a friendly race to the finish.
Their incentive? To beat the principal.
"At least one student finished before me and jogged straight over to let me know,” López Romo said with a grin.
When Reynoso learned he was the inspiration behind the weekly run, he was surprised and delighted.
“I didn’t even know they started doing this because of me,” Frederick said. “That’s really cool!”
Fifth-grade teacher Kendra Shervington was one of the first staff members to join the movement literally. Her class runs in the morning, which she says helps her students settle in and focus for the day.
“She was running right along with me,” López Romo said. “We keep each other motivated.”
López Romo said the benefits go well beyond physical activity.
“It’s a bonding experience,” he said. “It’s the only time everyone is out there together, moving, laughing, cheering each other on. It helps students release energy in a positive way, and they come back to class more focused and ready to learn.”
What started as one student’s idea has grown into a full-on Friday tradition that keeps spirits high and bodies moving. The appropriately named Roadrunners are proving that when it comes to fun, fitness, and school pride, this crew is going the distance.
