Racing bibs, a virtual experience, and class pride will soon be delivered to Mid-Pacific families who donated to the Pueo Pride Class Challenge.

To boost class and school pride, the advancement department created a virtual opportunity to do a 3.1 mile walk-run, the Owl Sleigh Run Virtual 5k.

The virtual 5K event on Dec. 5 was created as an added bonus to families who donated to the Pueo Pride Class Challenge. The class challenge generated $31,357 and will go to the Owl Strong Response Fund to support the school. 

“To make the pride aspect of the [class challenge] a little stronger, we came up with this virtual 3.1 walk-run. You get a running bib to represent your class,” said Holly Iwasaki, Mid-Pacific Director of the Annual Fund, and organizer for this event.

Students can participate in the virtual 5k regardless of the learning environment. Participants can take photos to tag your public posts #midpacific #owlsleigh5k for a chance to win Mid-Pacific swag.

“I think that this will definitely help bring us together just because it’s always nice to see what people are doing,” said Todd Jinbo, sixth-grade science teacher, Mid-Pacific class of ‘96, and parent of Mid-Pacific students.

The tenth, sixth, and first grade won the high school, middle school, and elementary competitions respectively. 

The competitive spirit of the class seen in tug-of-war is one of the most major aspects of the event.

“You’ve been to those all-school picnics, it’s all about that tug-of-war. For us in the pandemic, we can’t be fighting any tug-of-war, so the best thing we can do is support our school and bring up the percentage,” said Jinbo.

Additionally, the repetitiveness of the winners of the class competition shows the class pride, said Iwasaki.

“The fact that those two classes, ‘23 and ‘32, won the competition again, and very convincingly, it is a nice sign that there is class pride and that those classes want to represent their class,” she said.

Families can still donate to the Owl Strong Response Fund though the class competition has ended to support Mid-Pacific and the Mid-Pacific community.

“It’s important to support our school in any type of event. We have to back each other up, and we all have to contribute,” said Jinbo.

Regardless of the money generated, the class challenge’s objective was to increase joy and class spirit.

“The purpose was just to generate a fun vibe in this pueo pride competition,” said Iwasaki.