The Kentucky
Derby Festival activities are a beloved tradition and provide great excitement
for our community. St. Gabriel
Catholic School brings the Derby Festival activities to a new level for the
students and families of St. Gabriel. Each
year, the Parent, Teacher, Student Organization (PTSO) of St. Gabriel sponsors
a fun filled day for the students, faculty, and staff of St. Gabriel.
This year marked the 9th
annual Walk-A-Thon celebration at St. Gabriel.
This parallels the Derby Festival Theme and is a major fund raiser for
the PTSO. The funds are allocated
to support the astounding technology provided at the school.
As a part of the fund raiser the students obtain sponsors in return for
their effort.
The
students began their fun filled day, the Thursday before Oaks, by completing
the Walk-A-Thon, which is a walk that takes place in the school parking lot at
8am. This is designed to mimic the mini-marathon.
The day was beautiful and all the students were geared up to be
outside. Mrs. Rohleder’s 3rd
grade class was very festive and sang the entire time.
Mrs. Rohleder stated, “how great it is to see parents, teachers, and
kids all coming together for the common goal”.
Abbie Hayden, a 3rd grade student described it as, “great
exercise and I would like to thank Ms. Huelsman (Prinicpal) for the great
events she holds. I also thank my
family and friends who sponsored me and helped me raise $470.00 for my
school.” She was walking with
two of her friends, Morgan Miller and Kaitlyn Queesneberry. Kaitlyn
added, “I think it helps people set goals and it is very fun.
It’s amazing we had such beautiful weather and I thank God for
that.” Several students made
this a competitive event and raced each other and even their teachers. This
year the kindergartners showed up in team shirts that they made in class with
Derby
themes. The students were
enthusiastic and chatted and laughed while they walked.
After completing
the walk and meeting their commitment to their sponsors, the students then
proceeded to the gym and participated in an inflatable obstacle course.
This generated a lot of excitement as the children raced each other and
even had teachers racing. There
was a lot cheering.
All the activity
left the participants very thirsty. They
proceed to the water station and had a Popsicle treat as well.
Following these
activities there was a parade that matches with the Pegasus Parade and each
grade had a theme. In the
parade, the preschoolers, kindergarten, and 1st grade walked in the parade
with banners, horses, and band items.
After making his musical instrument and completing the walk Jake
Williams said, “It made me pretty tired”.
2nd grade held their annual Great Steamboat Race with Ms.
Miller's class taking the gold!! 3rd
grade showcased hats to die for! 4th
grade sang "My Old Kentucky Home." 5th grade held the Run for the
Rose' with Ms. Collignon's class winning!!
6th grade had a hot air balloon race with Abigail Wimmer taking charge!
The fastest philly for the 7th/8th grade Oaks race was Victoria Dircksen. The
winner for the 7th/8th grade boys
Derby
race was Bryant Cornwell. And last
but not least, the faculty went undefeated, as usual, in the volleyball
game against the 8th grade students!
Ms Huelsman,
Principal at St. Gabriel said, "I am so proud of our PTSO. It works
so hard to provide technology in our community while also letting our students
have fun in the process."
Mrs Stivers,
assistant principal, said, “It is just a fun day.
It is a common effort to give the best education possible.
The raised funds @$19,700.00 will go to the technology fund for Smart
Boards.” The top fund raisers
were Katelyn Becker in Mrs. Adams kindergarten class ($1200.00), Taylor Moore
in Mrs. Wincek’s 3rd grade class ($290.00), and Abbie Hayden in
Mrs. Rohleder’s 3rd grade class ($487.00).
The St. Gabriel
PTSO chairperson for the event was Theresa Payne.
She extended thanks, “to the community sponsors.
We could not do it without their contribution and great help from the
parents. I have had so much fun.
It is all for the kids!”
A big thank you to all who
support Market Day every month. It’s a great fundraiser for our school.
Last year we raised over $7500 from Market Day sales. If you’ve never
tried it, give us a try. Order forms are available in the school office and
in the back of church.
Have
questions regarding the PTSO, its function and activities? Contact
Kelly Shaper at: shaper3@bellsouth.net 
The
134th Kentucky Derby Festival, "Gabriel Style" 
