As the lively purple flowers along Madeline Court begin to bloom again, sunlight glints along the pavement. I sit still through my 70-minute history class, daydreaming about a walk across campus, free from my plastic chair of a prison cell and blissfully soaking up the spring sun. As I peer through the window, I see various employees walking across campus. Over the last few years, it has become more and more common to see groups of staff striding through school. Some joyfully laugh with colleagues, while others enjoy the beautiful campus in thoughtful silence, all getting in their physical activity in the meantime. Taking a break from their computers has brought joy, relaxation, and fresh air into their days, becoming an essential part of their workday.

Ms. Kara Ramirez

Anyone who knows Middle School English Teacher Ms. Kara Ramirez knows about her love of physical fitness and her infamous before-school workouts. When she’s not grading papers or digging into a romance novel, she is constantly in the gym and on the move (even winning last year’s Middle School Pushup Contest). But while she does enjoy the physicality of her 30-minute daily walks around Westridge’s campus, the walks have become a method for her to slow down and enjoy the present. “For me, it’s a great way to clear my mind, manage anxiety, feel good about moving my body, and just being outside and kind of experiencing nature a little bit,” she said. 

While sometimes she walks alongside other colleagues and friends, Ms. Ramirez often enjoys the great company of her favorite podcast, Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang.”

Ms. Molly Yurchak

For Upper School English Teacher Ms. Molly Yurchak, walking is about relaxing and clearing her mind amidst her busy days. Specifically, she likes to take walks around campus between reading and grading her students’ essays. “It was a way of sort of clearing my head, getting some fresh air, getting some sun, getting my heart rate going a little bit, and then coming back,” she said as we walked together during our interview.

To Ms. Yurchak, taking strolls around campus is as much about thinking as the steps themselves. In addition to being a writer, she finds her time on the road very valuable. She even encourages students to embark on a pensive walk of their own. “It’s a really good pre-writing prep to just, you’ve got a paper you’re working on, and you’ve started it, but you feel stuck. Go on a walk and think about it for an hour,” she said.

Ms. Danica Borgault and Ms. Kim Cota

It has become a part of my own daily routine to quickly wave to Business Office Coordinator, Ms. Danica Borgault, and Controller, Ms. Kim Cota, before they speedily march away, walking all across campus. What began a few years ago as a simple idea from Ms. Cota has now evolved into a meaningful tradition that allows them to spend time together as they step away from their desks. Ms. Borgault said, “It gives us a mental break, and we spend 30 minutes walking down Grand Street, and it’s just walking in the sun, or just enjoying being outside.”

Through these short walks, the two found connection and friendship. Ms. Cota smiled, “It’s not always about work. Sometimes it’s personal. Sometimes it’s just laughing.” 

Over time, the walks have created meaningful memories and a highlight in their days. “One day a week, if our schedule permits, we can work from home remotely, but a lot of times we don’t, just so we can walk with each other,” Ms. Cota said.

Ms. Sandra Penrod & Mr. Jackson Bueno

For Application Support Specialist Ms. Sandra Penrod and Registrar Mr. Jackson Bueno, admiring the birds and agriculture around Pasadena is the highlight of their walks. While you can typically find Ms. Penrod behind an array of laptops in the help desk, she has a deep love for birds and nature. “We don’t talk about work most of the time. We talk about other things, like birds. I garden, and he’s kind of a birder, and so the two kind of go together.” 

While walking during lunch breaks, they have spotted hawks, eagles, and all sorts of “little birds.” They love exchanging knowledge about the different native plants and animals as they walk. Mr. Bueno noted, “It’s just another part of being mindful in the moment when you take a walk, because you’re constantly listening to nature and listening to birds, and it’s kind of a fun exercise.”

These stories aren’t just about the health benefits of walking amidst a day of work. Instead, it’s about finding something or someone who will make the load a little lighter and brighten your days. Whether it’s enjoying the sun, puzzling out your work or laughing with a friend, it’s important to find joy and sometimes you really just need to go outside and take a walk.