Saint Patrick High School held its annual Walk-a-Thon on Thursday, September 14. Students collected pledges and then walked from the school to Wrigley Field. Saint Patrick hopes to raise over $120,000 from this year’s Walk-a-Thon with the money going to the school’s endowment fund.

On the night of September 18 the top pledge-getters for each class, as of September 8, were treated to “A Night at Wrigley.” Each student got the opportunity to take batting practice and field balls on the playing field at Wrigley Field. Class representatives were: Ryan Tadych ’10, Mike Byrnes ’09, Nick Vega ’08, and Tom Trampas ‘07.

The Walk-a-Thon begins with the announcement of the top pledge-getters. This year’s leader was Jon Szeszol ‘08, who collected $1,600 in pledges. Freshmen Toby Aguda ($824) and Tadych ($700), along with junior Matt Taylor ($600) filled out the top four pledge-getters. Szeszol got to throw out the first pitch at the Cubs vs. Dodgers game at Wrigley Field, following the walk, as a reward for his efforts.

Following the announcement of the top pledge getters, the entire student body, faculty and staff adjourned to the Austin Avenue parking lot. In the parking lot, the over 1,100 people that make up the Saint Patrick community were assembled in the shape of a shamrock, and an all-school picture was taken.

After the picture, the actual walk began. The students started down Austin to Irving Park. The route then turned east on Irving all the way to Lincoln. The Shamrocks followed Lincoln to Addison, then headed east on Addison for the final leg of the walk. The Shamrocks covered the seven-mile route from the school to Wrigley Field from 9:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. when the last group arrived at the park.