Meet Katie Webster, MSU Bozeman’s All Star member. New to AmeriCorps, Katie dove into a new service site as coordinator for Safe Routes to School in the Bozeman School District. The Safe Routes program works to get students active in the morning, engage parents in providing alternative ways to school, reduce congestion, remove safety hazards around schools, and educate everyone on the benefits of walking and biking every day.
Rather than tackle one school as planned, Katie worked to implement walking/biking programs in all of the elementary and junior high schools. Let’s do a quick count. That is 9 schools total. We’re talking some serious walking.
So what do safe routes programs look like? In addition to district wide events Katie plans, each school has an individualized program ranging from a “walking school bus” that runs every day of the week to schools that host Walk/Bike to school days each month. Several schools offer incentives for students to walk to school, including one school that will raffle off a bike at the end of the year to students who participated in Walk to School days.
“Our fall district-wide Walk to School day attracted a tremendous number of students - one school had over 80% of their student population participate - and we're hoping to replicate that success in the spring with multiple bike rodeos and other events... Through our efforts we have brought SRTS to light in the Bozeman community, educated students, parents, administration, and the community about the need for safer and more accessible alternative routes to school, and engaged the students themselves in trading in their morning routine for a more active, healthier, and fun one.”
What drives Katie’s incredible success? Games of tag, funny comments, the excitement of elementary kids as they join up on the walking school bus each day and priceless memories. “No matter how exhausted or grumpy I am when I wake up, walking to school with the kids completely brightens my day and is a refreshing start to the morning.”
When asked why she was such a dedicated volunteer, Katie responded, “From some tough personal experiences I've learned that it's not always possible to give back to those who help you, but that paying it forward is just as rewarding.”
So what does Katie do when she isn’t getting kids active? She volunteers as a firefighter and EMT for the Rae & Sourdough Fire Departments, leads Service Saturday volunteer projects and is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Her ultimate goal is “To be a kickass member of society.” What a motto to live by!
Post submitted by MSU Campus Corps leader Alex Black
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