FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - Smiling faces young and old participated in the 5th annual St. Angela Merici School International Walk to School Day held last week.

"Wow, what an awesome Walk to School Day as a school community," St. Angela Merici Lower School Principal Elizabeth Andrachik said. "We were able to bond over health and wellness by grade levels, ending in a beautiful Rosary devotion led by our student council officers."

Upper School Principal Lisa Whelan added, "We were blessed with a warm morning as we focused on health and wellness by walking to school. Needless to say, there was a great deal of energy here at St. Angela Merici."

More than 300 students, parents and staff members participated in the walk, which began in the Giant Eagle parking lot and proceeded down Lorain Road.

"A big thank you goes out to (Daniel) Barnhart, our physical education teacher, our Fairview Park Police for the personal escort and the crossing guards," Andrachik said.

Across the country there were more than 5,200 events associated with International Walk to School Day, which promotes daily physical activity in children.

St. Angela Merici Parish Communications Manager Moira A. Wopershall said on average, and depending on the weather, between 20 and 25 students walk to school daily, while roughly a dozen kids ride their bikes.

"This is the kind of energy that leads to lasting change for communities," Wopershall said. "Walk to School Day also hopes to raise awareness of the health benefits of walking and/or riding bikes to school.

"Unfortunately, many children are unable to walk because the conditions are not safe. The long-term goal of this program is to increase walking and to make neighborhoods safer for walking to and from school. St. Angela's plans to continue its annual Walk to School Day in coming years."