Barons Come Together for Mr. Walters

Most people on the FVHS campus knew Mr. Walters as the Career Specialist whom they never really talked to. (Personally, I didn’t know Mr. Walters.) In fact, many only saw him when he dropped by a California Scholarship Federation (CSF) meeting.

If they ever did catch a glimpse of this proud Baron, they would’ve formed an image in my head of a tall, jovial man, who was always laughing. The second was at the flash mob last Sunday, the 9th.

Last July, Mr. Walters was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Since his battle against this cancer started, his days have had its highs and lows.

The Walters family and their friends had a stroke of genius when they made a request to Flash Mob America (FMA) for a collaboration as a surprise for Mr. Walters.

FVHS students were invited to participate as information. Instructions and set-up dates were relayed to them through the daily announcements.

After repeating the dance over and over for hours at weekend practices, the Barons were ready to paste a nonchalant smirk on our faces and surreptitiously stroll to the Pier Garden. This was where the Long Beach Marathon had just ended and people were hanging around for a drink or small snack.

The flash mobbers spread around the Pier Garden, with the friends and family of Mr. Walters standing closest to the stage. The crowd made unsuspicious small talk with one another before a marathon host took the stage to cue the mobbers to prepare to “bust a move” right then and there.

“You’re not alone Clint,” the host shouted as Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory began to play, “We’re all fighting with you.”

Onlookers and Sunday marathon goers were surprised and quickly whipped out their video cameras to record the event. All the while, Mr. Walters was there in a speechless state of shock. By the dances end, FVHS’ former career counselor was called to the stage to say a few words. Everywhere in the audience, tissues began appearing as people quietly dabbed their eyes.

“No one person can ask for this much,” Mr. Walters said, looking out to the enormous horde of FVHS Barons who came to celebrate him. Students, faculty members, and teachers alike had all congregated for the event.

Staci, one of the directors of FMA, added, “It is amazing what people can do when they come together for a cause.” The flash mob for Mr. Walters gathered more than 1074 people, shattering the previous record of 300 flash mobbers.

The entire experience was extremely empowering as people from all backgrounds and talents on the FVHS campus gathered for a single purpose. People who never knew each other before, but who all knew Mr. Walters, all came together in dance to give back to a beloved Baron.