The heart of the lions beat with awareness and solidarity, as the Academy’s Leo Club volunteered at the 26th Annual Oahu Heart and Stroke Walk.

The walk, hosted by the American Heart Association, is meant to raise “funds to save lives from…heart disease and stroke” and “promote physical activity and heart-healthy living.”

Juniors Kaleikaumaka Cruz and Jiyeon Chun had a chance to watch their heart — literally.

The two were in charge of supervising a giant inflatable heart that people could walk through and learn more about heart ailments. Informational signage and diagrams were posted on the walls.

Chun thoroughly enjoyed being the “guardian” of the heart, as she put it.

“I was really amazed by the heart model because the heart was delicately represented with information attached to each part,” she said.

For Cruz, it was much more than a volunteer opportunity.

“I really did like watching over the inflatable heart,” Cruz said.“It was really cool, and I also was able to do it with my best friend.”

The event took place at Kapiolani Park in early August, hosting more than5,000 people and raising $563,515 in donations. Participants had the choice to take a one-mile stroll around the park or challenge themselves, and their cardiovascular systems, by running a 4.5-mile course around Diamond Head.

After completing their walk, participants enjoyed breakfast provided by Subway and received other goodies, such as informational flyers, stress balls — even a pill-shaped pen. There were information booths and a keiki corner to educate and entertain the community about heart and other cardiovascular diseases.

Chun believes that having the Heart Walk ultimately benefits the community.

“It is important because people get to learn how to prevent heart diseases,” Chun said.

Cruz agrees.

“The Heart Walk is important to have because it teaches you about your health and ways to be healthy,.” said Cruz.