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As the result of school wide and community efforts, Woodlawn Elementary School raised $11,350 for a new 57 foot climbing wall which will be used for physical education classes and the recess program. The traverse climbing wall is named in memory of Alphonso Hilton Jr., a Schenectady School supporter, outdoorsman and rock collector.
The project, spearheaded by Woodlawn physical education teacher, Teresa Brown, is the result of many fundraisers, grant applications and fierce determination. The students sold candy, held a fundraiser dance and a garage sale. MVP donated $2,000 for the new wall and Wal-Mart donated $1,000. Other donations came from family and friends including Bertha and Alphonso Hilton who had seven children who attended Schenectady Schools and currently have twin grandsons attending Woodlawn. The wall is dedicated in memory of the Hilton's son, Alphonso Hilton Jr.
According to Ms. Brown, the students climb across the traverse climbing wall, rather than up it. The wall can accommodate up to fourteen climbers at a time and the students spot each other for safety. The students are never more than three feet off of the ground at a time. |
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"The benefits of the wall are endless," said Ms. Brown. They include fitness, strength-building, confidence-building, balance, coordination, trust, teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, risk-taking, communication, courage-building, patience-building, endurance-building, and leadership just to name a few.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held January 24th.
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