On Friday, April 24th, Mount Carmel hosted the 39th annual Walk-A-Thon, Mount largest student fundraiser of the entire school year.

The Walk-A-Thon was started mainly by two legendary teachers, Mr. Nick Iosue and Coach Tom Nicklas. The objective for each student is to raise $75. Mount Carmel asks each student to go into their communities and ask family, friends, neighbors, or anyone else who would like to donate. As of Thursday, April 30,  students had reached  97% of their goal, which this year was to raise $48,000. Last year collection finished with 102% of returns, which totalled around $50,000.

The money that is raised for the MC Walk-A-Thon  helps fund student activities. For example, last year the money went toward new lockers and athletic equipment.

The actual walkathon route was the same as in years past:  students started off by proceeding east on 64th Street, through Jackson Park to Lake Shore Drive, then all the way down the lake to 39th Street before reversing their and making their way back to school.

Given how slow some students were this year to return their pledges, there’s been speculation that this could be the last year of the Walk-A-Thon due to the lack of participation by students.  According to school administrators, this WILL NOT be the final year.

“It may seem like we don’t like to go out and raise money, but that is not the case. Every year we pull through on the day before or the day of and achieve our goal,” said senior Conor Gill.

The main reason why most of the students want to reach this year’s goal is because everyone that reaches the $75 quota will get a half-day every Friday in May. Also, once a student turns in $75 he is eligible for warm weather dress code.

Walk-A-Thon pledges will be collected everyday during studium leading up until Friday, May 1. Students also can turn money into the Main Office.