Fifty-seven miles. Three days. Nine people.

Over spring break, sophomore Lily Colburn did what some might see as impossible. She and nine other Manhattan residents spent three days walking to the Topeka Capitol. The walk was to take a stand against the unconstitutional budget cuts made to Kansas schools. The group is called ‘Game On for Kansas Education,’ and there were representatives from Manhattan, Kansas City, Emporia and Topeka on the walk.

“[The walk] was important to me because I’m a kid in a Kansas public school, it should be important to all high school students,” Colburn said. “But especially because I’m aware of the political scene and the things that are going on in the Kansas legislature and it’s important to me to stand up against the injustices that I see.”

Throughout the walk, the group of walkers faced the harsh effects of Kansas weather, as well as exhaustion.

“It was pretty hard Friday, it was only around 70 degrees, but when you’re walking 20 miles it gets hot. Sunday was the hardest day, and the longest day. It was 24 miles and it was raining for five hours so it was really hard, and by that time you’re tired and sore and don’t want to be walking,” Colburn said. “But it was a relief getting to Topeka; I was grateful to sit down and be off my feet. It was also nice to know that I accomplished that. It wasn’t about the fitness, but still, walking 24 miles a day is a lot, so I was proud.”

Despite the weather and the physical fatigue, Colburn knows her efforts were not in vain, and was proud of herself and her group members.

“It was definitely worth it.” Colburn said. “I got to know nine different people really well. That happens when you walk for 20 hours a day, you learn a lot about people,” Colburn said. “There was a rally on Monday with hundreds of people, not just people who walked. It was worth it to take part in that protest and stand up for Kansas kids’ rights.”

Once she returned, Colburn was met with positive reactions to her efforts.

“I didn’t even think people knew about it but I came to school and everyone was like ‘whoa Lily, you walked a long way,’ but people were impressed for the most part, and also kind of astonished because walking to Topeka is a long way.”