Crossing the finish line for schools

Young Chang

Runners and walkers will compete Sunday in two different races to help

two schools raise money for programs.

Run for the Roses annually helps the Fountain Valley High School to

support its athletics program. This year, the money will be used to build

a film room so the football team can view plays and games of other teams,

said Penny Helenihi, an event spokeswoman.

Walk a Mile for Marina is a first-time fund-raiser hosted by the Marina

High School Education Foundation. Organizers hope to raise about $15,000,

said Barbara Pazornik, co-chair of the event. Marina High will use

profits to update the school’s technology.

“It’s a noncompetitive walk,” Pazornik said. “It’s just going to be a

couple hours of a really good time. And along the walk site, it’s

beautiful.’

School officials are trying to buy laptop computers for classrooms

because there isn’t enough room for desktops, said Susan Robin, who

co-chairs with Pazornik.

“Let’s just say we have a real need to come up to the 21st century,”

Robin said.

The school is also applying for a Digital High School grant, which will

match up to $750,000 of the school’s budget spent on technology.

Richard Boogar’s classroom won the contest for most money in

sponsorships, raising $964.

School bands also competed in a Battle of the Bands this week. The winner

of the contest, which will be decided Friday, will play at Huntington

Beach Central Park on Sunday.

Four teachers from Marina High will dress up like the Village People and

emcee the event. Various food vendors also plan to set up shop and offer

free goods, organizers said.

“People have been very generous, both of products and money,” Robin said.

Sponsors for the walk include Sav-on Drugs, J.T. Bagels and Mr.

Goodcents, a pasta and sandwich venue.

Mr. Goodcents will also provide free pizza and pasta to the five

homerooms that raise the most in sponsor funds, Robin said.

So far, about 225 students have registered to walk, Pazornik said, but

she expects an additional 75 to 100 people.

For Run for the Roses, a 16-year tradition, organizers from Fountain

Valley High expect 200 to 300 people to participate. They hope to raise

at least $5,000 in funds, said Toni Abeyta, who is in charge of the

event.

The competitive run will include an aerobic warmup time, a 5K run/walk

and a 1K Junior Fun Run for children 12 and younger.

The top three winners in each age group will receive plaques for the 5K

race, and winners from the 1K race will get medals. There are 11 age

groups, Helenihi said.

Prizes include boat rides to Catalina and dinners at Silky Sullivans.

School officials hope to dedicate the prospective film room to Scotty

Lang, a former football player at Fountain Valley High who died last year

during practice.

FYI

WALK A MILE FOR MARINA

12:30 to 1:15 p.m. -- Registration

1:15 to 1:45 p.m. -- Kick-boxing warmup

2 p.m. -- Walk a Mile for Marina begins

2 to 4:30 p.m. -- Live music and food

The walk will take place at the Huntington Beach Central Park, at

Goldenwest Street and Slater Avenue. For more information, call 840-1432.

RUN FOR THE ROSES

8 a.m. -- Aerobic warmup

8:30 a.m. -- 5K Run/Walk

9:15 a.m. -- 1K Junior Fun Run

FEES: $15 for the 5K run/walk or $20 to include a T-shirt. $5 for the 1K

Fun Run or $10 to include a T-shirt.

Late registration charges apply.

The run will be held at Mile Square Park, 16801 Euclid St. For more

information, call 847-8171.