Mobile Junction

The cold didn’t decrease the enthusiasm of Broadway Elementary School students Wednesday as they trampled the fresh snow into sticky slush on their annual Bear Walk. In fact, it probably made the annual fundraiser more fun.

The Bear Walk is an event in which students and invited guests are sponsored to walk laps around the field next to the school. Students must complete at least four laps, which is equal to one mile, but most walk more during the 45-minute block.

“This is just a healthy way to raise money rather than selling cookie dough and they get to keep 100 percent of the profit,” said Maria Purser, volunteer parent.

The kids were accompanied by the Grand Junction High School drum troupe. There were healthy education centers and obstacle course activities along the way. The kids, however, couldn’t help but stop to climb and jump from the big snow piles, most likely leftover from recess, in the middle of the circle.

Some marched to the beat of the drumming, swinging their arms in mock air-drum. Many of the girls carried small cups full of snow, which they tried to melt into a cold drink.

Stephen Satterfield, second grade, walked with his grandmother, Rhodora Satterfield. They said the snow didn’t bother them at all and they were just happy to be walking together.

Kyle Anderson, also in the second grade, received $10 from his father and his grandfather for the walk. He said it was the first time he had seen snow in Grand Junction. He liked the Bear Walk, “because I’m out here walking with my new friends and it’s (snow) not as bad as it is in Denver.”