High school students sacrifice their lunchtime once a week to exercise with an elementary buddy.

This is the first year the campus will participate in walking buddies. It is a program aimed to fight elementary students at risk of childhood obesity. Linda Amparano, founder of walking buddies, created a group for adults then added an extension for children.

?I?m doing walking buddies,? Danielle Ricchiuti, ?09, said. ?because we need to teach the younger generation better nutrition and make them healthy and happy.?

There will be a training session on Sept. 26, during lunch in the Jackie Johnson room in building six.

?We?re having the training session,? Amparano said, ?to talk about what a walking buddy is, and why we?re doing it; to share what?s expected.?

The program lasts for 12 consecutive weeks. In addition to exercising, students are to encourage healthy eating habits.

The weekly activity requires each volunteer and buddy to take a determined amount of steps before they participate in other physical activities of their choice such as hula-hoop and football.

Complete community service for first semester is given to the volunteers, but some find other reasons for participating.

?I’m sacrificing my lunchtime,? Walter Scott, ’08, said, ?because I?m a person that likes to make kids run.?

Although the program takes place on campus, volunteers from churches and the community are welcome to participate.

For more information, please call Amparano at 438-8719.