An Old Tradition Walks Anew

Twelve years is a long time in general, but in the context of the life of a high school, where four years is enough for the entire student body to turn over, twelve years is an eternity. Yet despite the challenge of a 12-year hiatus, the return of the Prep Walkathon this October was a runaway success!

From 1979 to 2010, the Walkathon stood as a rite of fall, sending students and teachers forth from Grand & Warren to display Prep Pride in the broader community and to raise money for Prep’s financial aid program. The routes changed—from a ramble throughout much of Hudson County in the early days, to a march to the far end of Liberty State Park in the ’90s, to a lap around Jersey City’s resurgent downtown in the 2000s—but the spirit of fun, love for Prep, and support for fellow Prep families remained the same.

Recapturing that spirit was the goal in reviving the Walkathon this fall. But success was far from guaranteed, as every student who had experienced a Prep Walkathon firsthand had long since graduated, and many faculty and staff members with Walkathon memories had also retired or moved on. In effect, reviving this old tradition virtually amounted to building a new one from scratch, which required the enthusiastic support of students, administrators, teachers, parents, and the entire Prep community.

Coordinating the effort was Prep’s Dean of Student Life, Catie Eppler. “It was truly an honor being part in resurrecting a Prep tradition that is loved by so many,” she said. “Hearing alumni stories of Walkathons past built excitement about not only the fun-filled day, but also helping each other. For me, there is nothing better than seeing the whole Prep community come together, support each other, and show our Prep Pride around Jersey City.”

This revived Walkathon sent homerooms on one of two routes along the downtown waterfront, and students returning to campus enjoyed the return of the Walkathon carnival (first introduced in 2000) as Keenan Field was filled with games, a rock-climbing wall, and plenty of space for pickup soccer and football. The 2022 Walkathon raised a total of $49,750 in donations, and all profits will support Prep’s financial aid program.