Middle school principal Luis Murillo kicks off the Vikings’ 5K color run for Center students, school staff and community members across the street from Center Schools.

CENTER — A good number of students, Center Schools staff and community members participated in a 5K color run Saturday, Oct. 12, to raise funds for the Center Vikings Youth After-School Club (formerly the Boys and Girls Club).
Both Center Schools Superintendent Carrie Zimmerman and middle school principal Luis Murillo made the run Saturday.
Murillo said the run was expected to raise about $2,400 in funds for the club; about the same amount raised last year. He also pointed out that the run, which coursed for about 30-40 minutes through the streets of Center, is also an excellent way to support healthy student activity.
While the state percentage of obese children is at 34 percent, Center’s obese rate is 50 percent. Not only the 5K but regular activities hosted by the Viking’s Club are geared to improve children’s interest in healthy activities to help them stay fit. Some of these include the bike club, wall climbing, field trips and other exercise-related activities.
The Vikings Youth After-School Club is open Monday through Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The club is closed during school holidays and no-school days.