Hundreds of Discovery Elementary students circled their school building in countless laps last week, to raise money in the school’s annual Walkathon fundraiser.

But they didn’t just walk. They carried signs, sang, ran, skipped, jumped and danced their way around the school, fueled by enthusiasm, a smorgasbord of snacks and music from a DJ.

First-grader Audrey Peiker, 7, said she was walking “because it’s a walkathon!” and noted that she was excited to win prizes.

The event included a bit of something for everyone, from prizes for the students to a silent auction for parents to peruse. Most importantly, parents said, it raised just over $44,000 to support teacher grants, art and science programs, extracurricular activities, assemblies, environment and math clubs and more.

“The goal was $40,000, so, despite the economy, people were showing a focus on the local issues here,” said Natalie Raines, one of the parent volunteers. “More than 77 percent of the PTSA programs are educational,” Raines noted.

A group of 10 to 15 parents organized the event, led by cochairs Sara Blessington and Gloria Crocker. An estimated 95 percent of the school’s 600 students participated, organizers said, noting that it was the highest level of participation in recent history.

“This is the biggest event of the year. … The fifth-graders always have a really good time because it’s like their last really big event,” Blessington said. “This type of fundraising is what makes our school and all schools in the community function.”

Sporting colorful T-shirts to signify their grade, students also had badges that were punched to show how many laps they had done. For every five laps, they received a raffle ticket toward the prizes. The event was the culmination of a spirit week, during which the school also gathered 1,746 pounds of canned food and other items for the Issaquah Food Bank.

Fifth-graders Konsta Jaske and Diego Valdez, 10, reiterated that they were walking to support the fundraiser.

Diego added that he enjoyed earning the raffle tickets, spending time with his friends and eating pizza.

Alec Nickel, an 11-year-old fifth-grader, said, “It’s fun to walk and get good food and see the firemen.” Firefighters from Eastside Fire & Rescue were on hand to support the students’ effort.

Fifth-grader Dane Petterson, also 11, said he thinks it’s a “really good fundraiser.”

His mom, Soni Petterson, said the event is all about school spirit.

“It really binds the school together,” Petterson said. “The kids have so much fun.”