For the fourth consecutive year, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy participated in the UCP 5K. Through its Facebook page and website http://hmsschool.com/, HMS put together a team of more than 100 students, staff, families, friends and alumni who ran and walked the course along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

"We encourage our staff and students to stay healthy by eating right and exercising," says team captain, Heidi Kecskemethy. She continues, "Joining HMS's 5K team created camaraderie and a wellness goal while supporting UCP's work, which clearly aligns with our school's mission and reflects what we do every day."

HMS provided transportation and staff for its residential students to ensure their participation. Families of day students provided transportation and race support for their children at the event.

"Making sure that students participated in the event and represented their school and the community of people with cerebral palsy was exciting and empowering," says Heidi.

Kecskemethy - the school's dietitian and de facto wellness coach - along with her colleagues held numerous activities to build anticipation for the event. One student designed the team's t-shirt and everyone enjoyed a luncheon at school on race day.