All proceeds to be split between the school and The Berry Foundation

April 22 is Earth Day and campuses across the district are celebrating with a variety of fun and educational activities.

Jennifer Levy, a kindergarten teacher at Briargrove Elementary School, took a novel approach this year by staging the school’s first annual 1K Berry Earthy Fun Run over the weekend.

Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Levy with Willa and Aaron Berry

“I have two passions,” explained Levy, “children and exercising. The sense of absolute elation I feel when I complete a race, whether it’s a 5k, a half marathon, or a marathon, is indescribable, and I want every kid to feel that sense of accomplishment. I cannot fix childhood obesity, but I can influence the children in my life.”

More than 250 children and adults participated in the inaugural event, and proceeds will be split between Briargrove Elementary School and The Berry Foundation, which provides for three local children left orphans after a tragic auto accident took their parents’ lives during the summer of 2011.

“When the accident happened, I knew I wanted to do something to make a difference,” said Levy. “Their mother, Robin, was a good friend of mine and I knew her kids, too.”

One of the Berry children couldn’t attend, as he was at a basketball tournament in Kentucky, but the other two participated in the Fun Run.