Former Locke High / UCLA track star gives back to community

Former Locke High / UCLA track star Chewiikua (Choo Choo) Knighten- Buggs finds way to give back to community with the Percy Knox Invitational Track and Field Meet.

The class of 1985 Locke high school graduate has become the first women to head a major high school track and field meet in California.

“Choo Choo” Knighten-Buggs accepted the position of Meet Director of one of the fastest growing high school track and field meets west of the Mississippi.

The Percy Knox Invitational is rapidly becoming the meet of choice with top schools like: Rancho Verde, Serra (Gardena), Dorsey, James Logan, and Long Beach Poly all in attendance. The meet has drawn schools from as far as San Francisco, San Diego and New York.

Unlike traditional track and field meets, the Percy Knox Invitational shares its proceeds with the local high schools track and field programs.  According to meet director “Choo Choo” Knighten-Buggs “With the current state of our economy, schools districts across America are struggling to keep their doors and after school programs open”.  

The former UCLA track star reflexes back on her life of growing up in the inner-city and how running track helped changed her life and open doors for her to attend UCLA on an athletic scholarship.

“We must not let the current times dictate our children being pushed back onto the streets. We must find new ways to mentor our kids and provide them with a safe environment. Many of the parks and recreation type programs are just not there anymore. This void must not be allowed to fester and become filled by the inter-city gangs.”

As meet director I have help develop a low cost /no cost program for a lot of these inner-city schools to attend our meet at little to no cost.  Our meet is run on entirely on small donations and proceeds raised from the meet.

We are going on our sixth year and with its fast growing popularity, it has already picked up sponsors such as: Nike, Marriott, Kokomo Beverage and the City of Santa Clarita.

The meet will be held March 27^th 2010 College of the Canyons 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

 “Choo Choo” stated naming the organization after Antelope Valley College coach Percy Knox Sr. was our way to recognize Knox many years of contributions to the local community.

“Choo Choo” Knighten-Buggs credits includes: All-Time California State High School Outdoor Performer List; California six fastest all time State 400 meters record (52.17), National high school Indoor 500 meters record (1:04.0), UCLA  all-time women’s top-10 list; 400 meters, 4X400 meter relay, 4X100 meter relay and Pac Ten Champion 4x400 relay.