Across schools all over the United States, especially here at Eastvale’s own Eleanor Roosevelt High School, students head on to the place of education by foot to mark what was October 5th’s International Walk-to-School Day, a nationwide event that simply encourages kids and teenagers to walk to school and promotes such an activity given the increased vehicle traffic, a lack of safe sidewalks, criminal activity, or the distance it takes to get to school by walking, all of which are reasons cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What began as a one-day event back in 1997, the school event quickly grew into a small, but powerful movement that happens year round and expands not only just solely in the United States, but also in 40 other nations around the world, according to the Walk & Bike to School Organization’s website.

It’s definitely a great way for kids to feel a connection with their surroundings and be a part of their community, as walking proves to have major benefits, with the individual getting their physical activity in and avoiding major safety issues that come with automobile traffic congestion. This can reduce air-polluting emissions, leading to a cleaner environment that students can comfortably interact with.

So as the many teenagers walk and bike through the few wonderfully decorated entrances at ERHS to start off their typical day to nice morning weather, they are greeted by some student members of the school’s Associated Student Body along with the Class Councils, who praise them for taking the initiative and reward them with candy by the class-oriented entrances of the school, according to the Roosevelt Review’s own staff writer and ASB member Audry Do.

And many smile as they take pride of being one of many who just made a great contribution to his or her community, with just some footsteps. Walk on.