On Sept. 26, the Oak Park Elementary School and larger Brentwood community turned itself gold in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Students and staff filled the day with both color and purpose, donning gold attire and taking part in the Oak Park’s annual awareness walk.

The tradition began years ago, when Samantha Miller organized the first walk after her young son was diagnosed with cancer. Today, he is in remission, and the event has grown into a heartfelt display of unity and compassion for families touched by the disease.

Carrying handmade signs, classes circled the entire perimeter of the school property as music poured through the loudspeakers, including Coldplay’s “Yellow” and Sister Sledge’s classic “We Are Family.”

This year’s walk carried added meaning as it marked the final one for Principal Lisa Catandella, who will retire at the end of the school year.

“I know everybody says the same thing: it's bittersweet,” Catandella said with a laugh. “This building has always been so welcoming, so loving, so empathetic towards those who are not typical. Samantha Miller represents part of that mindset … her idea of wanting to do this walk in honor of her son, you know, just makes this place even more special.”

Oak Park’s gold walk has become a defining moment for the school each September – part tradition, part tribute, and entirely about togetherness.

“I love this place,” Catandella said. “I love this school, and I love the people here.”