Ecole H.J. Cody High School held the sixth annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event on May 31 where students and community members wore high-heeled shoes and walked to the Bethany Sylvan Lake and back to raise awareness about domestic abuse against women.
While not all of the students walked in the event the majority of the student body played a role, teacher at H.J. Cody High School and event organizer Alana Routhier said.
“Our entire student body is expected to participate, but some are there as cheerleaders and may not be in heels. Our students have a greater awareness of the far-reaching impacts of domestic violence and are doing their part to stop it.”
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Participating in the event for the first time this year student Harper Francis told Sylvan Lake News he would wear high heels again next year to take part in the seventh annual event in 2024.
“I wanted to participate in the event because it raises awareness for the suffering of women going through domestic abuse. Everybody who did the walk today had a good attitude and I would wear heels to do this event again.”
It was great seeing so many young people participating in the event, Mayor Megan Hanson said.
“I think this is a cause that a lot of people don’t talk about especially young people and it’s great to get what looked like a good chunk of the school come out to have the conversation and a few laughs while they did it.”
To make the day possible many organizations also provided assistance by means of food, use of equipment and prizes including Sobeys, Trilliant, the NexSource Centre, Canadian Tire, Buk Wildz and the Sylvan Lake Rotary Club.
Other businesses in the community like Lodge 43 are also supporting the cause, Routhier said.
“Lodge 43 will be donating all of the revenue from their monthly special: The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Burger.”
All proceeds from the event will be going to The Outreach Center.
“We are grateful for all of the community support and will be accepting donations at the H.J. Cody office or online until June 7,” Routhier said.
@sarahbaker
sarah.baker@blackpress.ca
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