The Results are in for Cobra Chase
Stories of Impact
The Community Behind Cobra Chase
by Christina Tang
The Cobra Chase didn’t just happen — it was built by a community that showed up in every possible way.
From the first cones placed on the course to the final lap counted, parents, teachers, and supporters worked together to create a day our keiki will remember. The energy on the field was electric, and behind every smiling runner was a team of volunteers making the magic happen.
Families and friends stepped in to set up and break down the event, manage water stations, hand out tally sticks, and reward tired (and proud!) runners with mini otter pops at the finish. Others carefully mapped and measured the course to make sure every lap counted:
Pre-K – 2nd Grade Inner Lap: 384 feet
Grades 3 – 5 Outer Lap: 1,023 feet
Every detail helped make the experience fun, organized, and meaningful.
The People Behind the Day
A special spotlight goes to some of the incredible individuals who helped lead the charge:
Beth Vaughan, 5th grade parent, and Christina Tang, kindergarten parent — Cobra Chase Chairpersons
Suejin Park, 1st grade parent — Race photographer
Karen Denny, ELL Teacher — bringing spirit as Koko the Cobra
The Kaiser High School Cheerleaders — cheering on runners from start to finish
Their leadership — along with the many hands tallying laps and donations at the end of the race — made the event run smoothly and feel truly special.
Celebrating Our Student Runners
Our Cobras brought serious determination to the course! Congratulations to the classrooms with the highest average laps per student — winners of an ice cream party:
Pre-K – K: Inoue (Kindergarten) — 18 laps per student
Grades 1 – 2: Aaberg (Grade 2) — 21 laps per student
Grades 3 – 5: Soares (Grade 5) — 10.27 laps per student
What an achievement!
Why This Matters
Events like Cobra Chase are joyful, but they are also purposeful. Support raised through this effort helps Friends of Koko Head, the nonprofit supporting Koko Head Elementary, expand access to programs that help children grow in confidence, creativity, and connection — including music, art, yoga, and P.E.
This year’s focus on bringing music instruments into classrooms means students of all ages will have greater opportunities to explore expression and discover new interests that stay with them long after elementary school.
Still Time to Participate
Envelopes are still being accepted in the school office for any students who may have forgotten to turn theirs in — every contribution continues to make a difference.
Cobra Chase showed what’s possible when a school community moves together — not just around a track, but toward a shared goal for our keiki. And that momentum doesn’t stop at the finish line.