DHAHRAN, 30 January 2004 — Motivating students to learn is the most difficult part of an educator’s responsibilities. And learning is not just in the classroom. Good teachers use every opportunity that presents itself during the school day to help their students master essential life skills.

At Dhahran Elementary/Middle School (DEMS), a part of the International Schools Group (ISG), Principal Bruce Hudson and his staff work to create programs that stretch students’ abilities, uncover hidden talents and motivate their young charges to be the best that they can be.

On Wednesday, DEMS with the assistance of its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and the corporate sponsorship of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of KSA and Tamimi Company, organized Walk-a-thon 2004. This was the twelfth year for the charity event and once again students, teachers, parents and community members were all welcome to take part.

Participants went out before the walk-a-thon and arranged for sponsors to either pay them a sum per lap in the event or simply for completing the activity. On Wednesday morning the participants walked or ran around school’s 1-1/2 kilometer Ring Road as many times as possible in one hour. Monitors marked the participants’ hands each time they completed a lap.

Later in the day, the participants were issued verification sheets, which they took back to their sponsors in order to collect the monies pledged.

Last year the walk-a-thon raised SR27,000 for charity. This year the 300 participants hope to do even better and they have a little extra incentive.

“I plan to raise about SR300 from my sponsors,” said fifth grader Ralph Bahous. “This is my third year taking part in the run but I need to do better this year at raising funds than in the past. You see, if we raise SR28,000 or more, then our principal, Mr. Hudson, will have to shave his head. I can’t wait to see that!”

“As an educator it’s important that I do everything possible to motivate our students to succeed,” commented Hudson. “If pledging to shave my head is what it takes to reach the goals of this walk-a-thon, then I’m willing.”

The money raised through the walk-a-thon will be divided between two worthy causes. Once again, DEMS will be supporting the efforts of the Qatif Orphans Committee. The money will also be used to furnish a recreation room for the Dhahran Middle School.

“The students at our Middle School really have no place to call their own. They have no location that may be used as an outlet for social activities,” Hudson said.

“We thought that if the Middle School students felt that in part, by participating in the walk-a-thon they were serving their own interests, that they would be more enthusiastic to join in the activity. So some of the monies earned from the walk-a-thon will be turned over to the student council to purchase equipment for the new recreation room. This is a place that Middle School students will be able to use in their unstructured free time. We hope it will increase their sense of belonging to the DEMS community and help them have a place to de-stress so they can better succeed in their studies.”

What did the Dhahran Middle School students think about the walk-a-thon? Eighth graders, Toni Pagniano, Daniya Shah and Uthara Kiranghat took a break from running long enough to put forward their views.

“Well, we’re participating and while it’s not a big deal for us, we are still doing our best,” said Pagniano. “I know that at our age we have a reputation for lacking enthusiasm for these activities, but I think it’s just that we’re lazy sometimes — like everybody.”

Shah continued, “It’s not that we aren’t interested in extracurricular activities anymore. But by eighth grade, we’re getting more worried about our school work and we need to focus our attention on that. Plus we’re looking forward to high school.”

“There’s a lot more pressure on us now than when we were back in grade one,” Kiranghat added. “Look at these little kids running around. They don’t have any cares. For us the pressure is just increasing more and more, and our schoolwork is really our major interest now.”

At the start of the walk-a-thon, the most enthusiastic participants were the youngest students. Some of them had little clue why they were toddling along but even the three-year-olds did know that the walk-a-thon had something to do with charity and helping poor people.

Tate Tompkins, a second grader, was of the opinion that being out with his friends in the morning sun was the best part of the whole event, although raising money for a worthy cause was good too.

Parent Cris Fleck had come out for the eighth time to help with the walk-a-thon. She thought it was an excellent idea to encourage children to do something for others.

“I have really enjoyed watching the camaraderie of all the students, teachers, parents and administrators,” said Fleck. “This is a wonderful activity.”

It was a beautiful morning for the walk-a-thon. The sun was beaming down brightly but a little breeze kept everybody cool. The students were laughing and excited. It didn’t seem like a school day at all. While it was clear that some of the students were simply interested in the walk-a-thon as a chance to socialize, others were really dedicated to the cause at hand.

“Interview me,” said Ralph Bahous, “because I have something important to say. What we’re doing today is great but I know we can do more. We are the ones with all the opportunities. I look forward to our school holding other events for charity. I know we can give more and do better.”

Look out Bruce Hudson and the DEMS staff! If motivation was what you were aiming for it seems that some of your students have more than enough to share.