Walking the talk for Underground Gym

Grassy Narrow’s Bethany Papassay and a group of 80 students walked about five kilometres for social justice June 8 in Thunder Bay.
Papassay and the students, mainly from Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute, walked to raise awareness to the school community of the Underground Gym.
“I’ve been going to the gym for seven years,” Papassay said. “It’s a good place to go because there’s a bunch of kids there.”
Papassay usually goes to the Underground Gym every day after school and sometimes on the weekend when it is open.
“There’s a bunch of crafts, pianos, pottery, lessons for guitars, wrestling, boxing,” Papassay said. “It’s an awesome place to go.”
After a short warm-up session at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute, the group of students walked along a bike path to the County Fair Plaza before returning along the same route to the school, where a healthy dinner was served by the school’s food classes.
Along the route, information was collected for special quiz questions.
“The Underground Gym has provided countless opportunities for local youth to build positive self-esteem through exercise, healthy eating, the discipline of sport, and positive social relationships, all within a caring and supportive environment. The Underground Gym is truly worthy of our support,” said Patricia Cibinel, a Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute teacher.