Students organize walk for diabetes treatment

The first two people to respond to the call were Richard and Teresa Kummer, who represented Grant County Fire District No. 8. They are volkswalkers.

Laura Sandoval, 10, wanted to walk, but her dad, who did walk, gave her the assignment of photographing him and the event.

by Ted Escobar<br> Royal Register Editor
| June 4, 2011 6:00 AM

Laura Sandoval, 10, wanted to walk, but her dad, who did walk, gave her the assignment of photographing him and the event.

MATTAWA - When the year started for the Wahluke High School walking nutrition class, teacher Adrea Bezdicek gave students the general assignment of organizing a community event with a cause.

"It had to involve exercise and education," Bezdicek said.

That community event took place on Saturday, May 21, when walking nutrition students staged the first Wahluke High School Diabetes Walk.

The goal of the organizers was to raise $2,000 to be split evenly by the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Wahluke Family Clinic to be used in the battle with diabetes.

There were 55 walkers, Bezdicek said. With the Columbia Basin Health Association matching whatever the students raised two for one, they met the goal of $2,000.

The funds were the cause. The exercise was the walking of a route that was more than three miles long. The education was a series of stations along the route at which walkers stopped to learn about diabetes.

According to Bezdicek, diabetes is the No. 5 killer of human beings in Grant County. One in 10 residents of the county has diabetes.

The walking nutrition class is part of the physical education offerings at Wahluke High, Bezdicek said. It is a PE class for students who don't necessarily want to play sports.