Near the end of the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot race, David Rodriguez, an administration of justice major, began calling out cadence to his fellow runners to rally them to the finish line in Falcon Square.

“It made me remember the days of the Marine Corps. I know when your body’s completely fatigued, you sing a little bit of Marine Corps cadence and your spirits start getting lifted,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he plans to obtain an AA in administraton of justice.

“I want to be a police officer; I want to serve the community. These events make the community start working together for the better of the community,” Rodriguez said.

Cerritos College held its 13th annual Turkey Trot in Falcon Square on Nov. 18, where clubs collected donations of cans and money for the Norwalk City Food Bank.

Norwalk Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen was present to give thanks to those who participated in the event and donate to the cause.

“It was bigger than last year, it keeps growing every year and it’s a great event.

“With the economy today, I’m sure all [of the students] are aware of what’s going on… I think this really gives them a chance to help out and make a difference,” Stefenhagen said.

Daniel Herrera, undecided major, was the first male student to finish, while Selena Gallegos, music major, was the first female student to finish.

The first female and male faculty finishers were Susan Lepere, biology professor, and Jerry Ramos, business administration professor, respectively.

The Spirit Award, which is given to the division with the most people involved, went to the science, engineering and mathematics division yet again.

Luis Ong, ASCC vice president, said he felt out of shape, but he also said that the race he had just finished woke him up.

“Hopefully it wakes up everybody, in the sense that it wakes them up so they can help people, not just by giving food and everything; also by helping them with their needs.

“These cans, these food donations are going to go back to Norwalk to the poor families who don’t have any for these upcoming holidays; Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Ong said.

This year, Cerritos College students, staff, and faculty members donated an unprecedented level of time and energy to the event.

Around 500 individuals signed up to participate in the turkey trot, breaking last year’s record of about 400.

During the presentation of the awards, it was revealed that Cerritos rose just over 1,400 cans for the food pantry of the city of Norwalk, bringing in at least 500 cans more than last year, as well as raising $115.

Although only Lepere could not be present for the awards due to responsibilities, only one person out of the 21 names called out in the raffle was present to receive a prize.

Debbie Jensen, physical education instructor, thought that the Turkey Trot event went really great.

“Everybody has fun, everybody wins out here, the weather’s great; perfect day,” Jensen said.

She also mentioned that the Trot itself was open to all who were willing to participate.

“Physically, you can prepare or not.

“You can walk, jog or run, so it’s attractive to anybody’s fitness level. But if you get out and you have fun, we’re hoping that it will inspire or motivate students, staff, and faculty to continue working out, because you feel really good after you finish.”