Riverside Elementary School wins Minnesota’s ‘Walk to School Day’ photo contest

By KAALTV

Riverside Elementary School wins 'Walk to School Day' contest (Courtesy: MnDOT)

(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced on Thursday that Riverside Elementary School in Rochester is the winner of Minnesota’s ‘Walk to School Day’ photo contest.

Minnesota Safe Routes to School (MnSRTS) sponsors the annual event which encourages students and parents to try a new and healthy habit that increases physical activity by walking or biking to school.

According to MnDOT, over 170 schools and thousands of students throughout the state of Minnesota took part in the event on October 12.

The MnDOT says students at Riverside Elementary School captured so many beautiful moments during their walk to school day event, as they said, their “rainy October morning quickly turned into a beautiful morning for Walk to School Day!” Slider, the Rochester Honkers Baseball mascot, even came along.

“Walking and bicycling safely are critical life skills and Walk to School Day encourages students to use this knowledge throughout their lives,” said Dave Cowan, MnDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator. “Students and families can use their Walk to School Day event as an opportunity to get some fresh air, take in the gorgeous fall colors, spend more time with friends and family, and arrive at school ready to learn.”

Schools were able to join the contest by submitting photos on the MnSRTS Facebook page with the hashtag #mnwalks.

With the win, Riverside Elementary School now has statewide bragging rights.