Anita Bernardo, a speech pathologist at Conner School, Boone County, is well on her way to P.F. Chang's "Rock 'N' Roll Arizona" marathon Jan. 9 in Phoenix.
The event, which takes place simultaneously in Pheonix, Scottsdale and Tempe, is part of the American Stroke Association's Train to End Stroke program.
"She is doing fine,'' said Erin Miller of the American Heart Association. "The participants started training Aug. 7 and will go through 21 weeks of training.''
Bernardo of Hebron said she is participating in the marathon because of her mother, Lorella Ricks, who suffered a stroke.
"I was familiar with a stroke but had no idea of the impact it has on the victim or the family,'' Bernardo said.
She said the American Stroke Association has been a tremendous help to her, and she wants to give something back.
Bernardo, 43, said she plans to walk the full 26.2-mile marathon. This will be her first marathon.
Positively kids
Cassidy Gephart, a fourth-grader at St Anthony Elementary School in Taylor Mill, made her debut at Carnegie Hall Oct. 30.
The 9-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the World Piano Competition at the Aronoff Center for the Arts this summer, played in a concert at the hall in New York City.
"I played 'Melody,' the same song I played in the competition at the Aronoff in July," Cassidy said.
"I thought I would be nervous, but I wasn't.''
Cassidy was invited to perform as a result of winning in Cincinnati. The performance at Carnegie Hall was not competitive.
She went up against students from 15 countries in the competition in Cincinnati.
"It was so wonderful,'' said her mother, Lori Gephart. "To be able to perform in a concert at Carnegie Hall at that age is simply outstanding.''
Lori Gephart said the family, including her husband, Chris, and son, Nicholas, 6, traveled to New York last week.
College link
Second-grade students at Covington's Sixth District Elementary School, described as "future Gateway students" by Gateway Community and Technical College President 
