Walkathon steps out to support students, families

CARLSBAD — Carlsbad Unified School District administrators, staff, students and families came out for the 4-mile walk at the first annual Mitchell Thorp Foundation Walkathon on Jan. 23 at Carlsbad’s Poinsettia Park. Many also served as volunteers; directing traffic, manning booths, performing entertainment and conducting other duties.
Proceeds from the walkathon will provide financial support for the families of Carlsbad High School students Chase Quartarone, who recently died of lymphoma, and Sam Reiser, who is battling this disease.
Mitchell Thorp was a CUSD student who died at age 18 after a five-year struggle against an undiagnosed illness. His parents, Beth and Brad Thorp, established the foundation in Mitchell’s honor to help the families of North County children facing life-threatening illnesses. Thorp Field at Poinsettia Park, where the walkathon took place, is named after Mitchell.
“The district is a family, and so is the Carlsbad community,” district Superintendent John Roach said. “This is what families do: we support each other.”