Fontbonne Walks A Ways Away Once Again in the 2026 Walkathon

Aleah Blomquist '29

On a beautiful, crisp autumn day, the Fontbonne student body once again took to the waterside to raise money for school improvement.

Fontbonne picks a new goal to raise money for each year that would help our students and school. This depends on the needs of the school. Fontbonne tries to pick something that would drive more students to want to attend. This year, our Walkathon raised money for new exercise equipment.

The Walkathon is a popular Fontbonne tradition in which students participate in fundraising for the school and students’ needs. Each student fundraises a certain amount of money to complete our goal, and walks nearly five miles in the effort. 

Fontbonne started doing this around the 2010s. Previously, they would do a magazine drive to raise money. Even before the magazine drive, they had fundraising fashion shows. Our Fontbonne traditions help bring us together, while making the school a better place. 

Development Office worker Gianna Curreri stated, “The point is to raise money and start up conversations with people and bring Fontbonne pride, which is one of the best things ever.” 

The Walkathon proves how Bonnies are capable and confident to go out and fundraise for our school, while also showing the cycle between being an alum and a student here, and the way things have progressed. 

Though this was one of Fontbonne’s favorite traditions, every one comes with challenges. Throughout the time of the Walkathon the biggest struggle is to get every student's donation. Fontbonne requires 100% participation in this event in order to get an extra day off from school. Without it, we would be unable to complete our full goal. However, this year has been among the highest donation years. 

Walkathon is something that should continue for years to come in Fontbonne. This tradition truly means the world to the Fontbonne community.