Promoting Health, Fitness in Holtville — This is The Way » Holtville Tribune

HOLTVILLE — In a scene of organized chaos, the Mandolorian led Holtville youths down East Sixth Street as they made their way to Finley Elementary School, walking and riding bikes, scooters and rollerblades to promote healthier habits. 

National Bike and Roll to School Day is a nationwide event that schools can participate in anytime during the month of May, with the official day marked for May 8. Holtville chose Friday, May 3, where students and many adults wore their favorite “Star Wars” T-shirts, hats and Grogu gear to celebrate “Star Wars” Day (May the Fourth), which is always the town’s theme for the activity, a decision made years ago by the man beneath the Mandolarian’s helmet, Holtville Fire Chief Alex Silva.

“About five or six years ago, we noticed there was an actual ‘Ride Your Bike to School’ event and we wanted to join in on it,” Silva said, explaining more about the event’s origin.

“We started originally as walking to school only, and the original plan was to meet the deputies and the firefighters and it spread to this,” he said pointing around at all the childrens’ bikes. 

Silva wore the custom-made Mandolorian helmet for his bike ride, a 3-D printed masterpiece crafted by his son, leaning into the fictional fun with the kids. “Since it’s in May, we decided to make it ‘Star Wars’-themed. I love ‘Star Wars,’” he explained, “So I said, let’s make it every year near May 4 for ‘May the Force be with you.’”

The Imperial County Sheriff Department was present to ensure safety of the large group, with deputies talking with students and providing assistance by blocking cross-street traffic during the ride. The rest of Silva’s fire crew supervised and gave kids high-fives of encouragement while the crowd made their way down the street. All the adults worked together, providing an epic way for the youths to start their Friday. 

This is the Way

The morning began with a group warm up before the ride, with Silva leading the Emmett S. Finley Elementary School students. Backpacks and bikes were parked around the edge of the basketball court while students spread out ready to follow the Mandolorian (Silva) through some warm up moves before taking to the streets. Lined up by grade, the students gathered like a bunch of cute little ewoks, ready for action.

One parent and staff member at the elementary school, Linda Serrano, said, “I’ve been coming to Finley for 13 years and I’ve never made it to this, so I’m happy to be here.” 

Serrano was standing outside the Ralph Samaha basketball court before the ride began, alongside other parents, siblings, and school staff, watching the kids stretch as a group before the ride began. 

See also

“It teaches them — the parents and the kids — to do an activity together, and promotes exercise and learning some safety too,” Serrano explained, talking about the event. 

The youths warmed up with some jumping jacks and full-body stretches, laughing along to various jokes Silva tossed their way. Marco Page, Finley Elementary’s principal, was stretching on the sidelines supporting the cause alongside his students and a couple other staff members.

After the event he commented briefly, saying, “It’s another health initiative, just to promote the students to be healthy.”

Page said the school advertised in the weeks leading up to Friday, handing out flyers to students and promoting the event on social media as well.