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Saturday, May 23, 2026

EDUCATION AND YOUTH 

5TH ANNUAL 
KID-FIT 
FAMILY FUN 
RUN BRINGS 
COMMUNITY 
TOGETHER 
AT WHITTIER 
NARROWS

S.El Monte - Runners and walkers 
of all ages gathered at Whittier 
Narrows Recreation Area on 
Saturday, May 16, for the annual 
KID-FIT Family 
Fun Run 1K/5K. 
The family-friendly 
event featured scenic 
views of Legg Lake 
and celebrated 
health, fitness, and 
community spirit.

One of the most 
heartwarming parts of 
the event was the 1K 
run, which included 
children as young as 
3 years old. Parents, 
grandparents, and 
friends lined the 
course to cheer on the 
young participants as 
they crossed the finish 
line.

“This event is all about 
helping children 
and families see that 
physical activity can 
be fun,” said Michele 
Silence, founder and 
director of KID-FIT. 
“Whether someone is running 
for a personal best or simply 
crossing the finish line for the 
first time, every participant is 
a winner.”

The 5K race produced several 
outstanding performances. 
Joel Arnold captured first 
place overall in 18:04, with 
Angel Diaz close behind in 
18:11. On the women’s side, 
13-year-old Lake Fandell 
posted an impressive winning 
time of 19:45.

Youth team participation 
was a major highlight. The 
Encinita Running Club 
brought 53 participants, the 
Huskies Run Club 42 and the 
Spartans Running Club from 
San Gabriel Mission entered 
more than 77 runners. The 
Eagle Rock Running Club 
earned a trophy for the Fastest 
Youth Team.

Kayleigh Palomino received 
the KID-FIT Teacher Champion Award for 
organizing and encouraging students to 
take part in events like the KID-FIT Family 
Fun Run. Her school also won the trophy 
for the largest school team and another for 
generating outstanding team spirit from San 
Gabriel Mission School.

The KID-FIT Inspirational Athlete Award 
was presented to 81-year-old Robert Lynch, 
whose commitment to staying active inspired participants of every age.

The Newest Team Award went to Durfee School, one of 10 new schools that had never 
participated before.

The excitement continued with a special drawing for all 1K participants. Hazel Der of Arcadia 
was selected as the lucky winner of a $100 Amazon gift card.

One of the day’s most generous moments came when the Eagle Rock Running Club won a $500 
physical education equipment package and then donated it to San Gabriel Mission School.

The event was made possible through the generous support of community sponsors, including BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Rize Credit Union, San Gabriel Valley Water Company, Southern California Gas 
Company, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Longo Toyota Lexus, Action Designz, Run With Us Pasadena, and Craig’s Crew. KID-FIT also extends special thanks to the many volunteers who 
donated their time and energy to help make the event run smoothly.

As the runners crossed the finish line and families gathered for photos, one thing was clear: the KID-FIT Family Fun Run is much more than a race. It is a celebration of community, health, and the lifelong 
benefits of staying active.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY


Alverno Heights Academy

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 

Head of School: Joanne Harabedian

E-mail address: 

jharabedian@alvernoheights.org

Arcadia Christian School

1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue 

Arcadia, CA 91006

Preschool - TK - 8th Grade

626-574-8229/626-574-0805

Email:inquiry@acslions.com

Principal: Cindy Harmon

website: www.acslions.com

Arcadia High School

180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007

Phone: (626) 821-8370, 

Principal: Brent Forsee

bforsee@ausd.net

Arroyo Pacific Academy

41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil Clarke

E-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
School

Robert Bringas, Jr., Principal

2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.

Pasadena, Ca 91107

626-793-2089

https://school.abvmpasadena.org/

Barnhart School

240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 446-5588 

Head of School: Tonya Beilstein

Kindergarten - 8th grade

website: www.barnhartschool.org

Bethany Christian School

93 N. Baldwin Ave. 

Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3527 

Preschool-TK-8th Grade

Principal: Jonathan Hawes

website: www. bcslions.org

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive

San Gabriel, CA 91775

Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172

FAX: 626-286-1528

Marianne Ryan

administration@clairbourn.org

E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org

Foothill Oaks Academy

822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 301-9809

Principal: Nancy Lopez

www.foothilloaksacademy.org

office@foothilloaksacademy.org

Frostig School

971 N. Altadena Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91107

(626) 791-1255

Head of School: Jenny Janetzke

Email: jenny@frostig.org

The Gooden School

192 N. Baldwin Ave. 

Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-2410 

Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolner

website: www.goodenschool.org

Holy Angels School 

PK-8th Grade

360 Campus Drive 

Arcadia, CA 91007

626-447-6312

office@holyangelsarcadia.org

Principal: Aimee Dyrek 

holyangelsarcadia.net

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road 

Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

La Salle College Preparatory

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. 

Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 

website: www.lasallehs.org

Principal Ernest Siy

Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive, 

Monrovia, CA 91016 

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson

Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us

Odyssey Charter School

725 W. Altadena Dr. 

Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 

Head of School: Lauren O’Neill

website: www.odysseycharterschool.org

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 396-5880 

Principal: Dr. Eric Barba

website: http://phs.pusd.us

St. Rita Catholic School

322 N. Baldwin Ave. 

Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114 

mcmaster@st-ritaschool.org

Website: www.st-ritaschool.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Ave, 

Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 

Principal: Dr. Jodi Marchesso

E-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 

Principal: Garrett Newsom

E-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us

Walden School

74 S San Gabriel Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166 

www.waldenschool.net

Weizmann Day School

1434 N. Altadena Dr. 

Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 797-0204

Lisa Feldman: Head of School

Wilson Middle School

300 S. Madre St. 

Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth Esseln

E-mail address: resseln@pusd.us

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Ave., 

Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600 

Website: www.pusd@pusd.us

Arcadia Unified School District

234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net

Monrovia Unified School District

325 E. Huntington Dr., 

Monrovia, Ca. 91016

(626) 471-2000 

Website: www.monroviaschools.net

Duarte Unified School District

1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010

(626)599-5000 

Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us

Right: Ready, Set, Go!

Below: Encinitas Run Club


The Fastest Team!


Kayleigh Palomino

Below: Robert Lynch


Overall Winners

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com