A kaleidoscope of colors filled the air at Lakeview Elementary School this fall during an event that strengthened community bonds.
More than 100 children left campus with bright clothes after participating in the inaugural Lakeview Color Run. Students, staff and Lincoln residents volunteered their time and resources to ensure the Seagulls would leave with happy memories. They tossed colored powder on young runners who sprinted along the route.
Fourth grader Peyton and third grader Leo said they were excited to have a color run at Lakeview. They were surprised by how much powder landed on their t-shirts, shorts and shoes. They were also grateful to see so many supporters at their school.
“I really liked it, but now I have to take, like, 50 showers,” Leo said.
“I liked that I got to get sprayed with color, and I got to see my mom and be with my friends and my grandma and my teacher,” Peyton said.
Lakeview parent Alicia Johnson smiled as she watched her kindergarten-aged daughter hold hands with her 2 1/2-year-old sister on the pathway. She said it was special to be part of the schoolwide event. A total of 189 students and adults signed in near the starting line, and people continued to flow into the facility after the color run began.
“I think it’s a good way to get everybody involved in different aspects,” Johnson said. “It brings everybody together.”
Lakeview Principal Susan Hershberger said building those connections was a primary purpose of the color run. It gave families a chance to enjoy spending time together and it also let them meet people of all ages from across the city. Lakeview staff members, Southwest High School students and University of Nebraska-Lincoln student-athletes assisted the Seagulls before, during and after the run.
“I think the highlight is just seeing families come together,” Hershberger said. “They came for the event, but just the way they interact with each other and their children, it’s just a bright spot of my day. And the number of staff that came back to help as well. We also had Lincoln Southwest High School students come help. We had UNL athletes come help. It’s just a wonderful community event.”
Lakeview teacher Jess Anders was pleased to see the Silver Hawks and Huskers serve as role models for younger students. Anders is the school’s family engagement team leader and invited volunteers to become color run fans. They marked the trail, threw powder at the Seagulls and helped staff members clean up after the colorful dust had settled. Several Huskers also led fun stretching exercises before everyone ran.
“I think it’s great for little kids to see big kids helping out in the community, and for the seniors, or the high school kids, just to see how important it is to continue to help out with your community,” Anders said.
Southwest senior Maria and UNL golfer Olivia Lovegrove were two of those community volunteers. Lovegrove admired many Huskers who came to her school when she was growing up, and she wanted to repay the favor to current elementary students.
“It’s such a cool event,” Lovegrove said. “I’ve never actually participated in a color run, so I was super excited to sign up to help with it. I think it’s a great event and great idea on the school’s part.”
Maria was one of 15 Silver Hawks who volunteered during the morning. Her duties included placing different shades of dust into bottles, filling buckets with leftover powder and tossing the bright substance onto students as they ran past her station.
“I hope that they had fun at the color run,” Maria said. “I also hope that they had a small takeaway about how some volunteer work can be a great learning, social and fun experience.”
Hershberger, Anders and other Lakeview leaders felt the event would inspire students to become more involved in outdoor activities like running. The school oversees the annual Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) as part of its physical education curriculum. The national fitness test aligns with Nebraska Department of Education physical education standards.
The color run also showcased the value of community partnerships. The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools helped Lakeview raise $750 for snacks, water and colored powder. The money meant every student could participate in the 2026 color run for free. It also gave the school a head start on preparing for the 2027 event.
“I think it’s important because for our kids, it gives them more experiences and exposure to different people and different ideas,” Hershberger said. “But it also just shows our kids that there are lots of people out there that are there to support them and do good things and want them to do well.”
Lovegrove said that caring environment was evident in the faces of everyone who attended.
“It’s been just great to see the kids be kids,” Lovegrove said. “I think they’re really enjoying it. It’s great to see them having fun and interacting with each other and their families, and just having a blast, because that’s what it’s about.”
Hershberger said activities like the color run are essential to Lakeview’s mission of supporting everyone associated with the school building.
“I just think it’s really important for everyone to understand how important it is for schools to involve families in what they’re doing,” Hershberger said. “The school day goes way beyond 3:30 p.m.”
Discover how family and community engagement events like the Lakeview Color Run fit into the 2024-29 LPS Strategic Plan.
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