Diversity Dash Celebrates Community Involvement
On Saturday, May 16, runners of all ages braved the elements to join us on St. Andrew's beautiful Upper School campus for the inaugural Diversity Dash. The clouds couldn't keep our 79 registered runners and a multitude of dedicated supporters away from the 5-k race and 400-m Fun Run! Click here to see the final race results: http://edsresults.com/diversity/
Forty runners raced on the Gilbert Tuhabonye Trail, named after the Upper School’s cross-country coach. Gilbert himself was on-hand to provide some helpful tips to the runners before sending them off on the course. The 400-m Fun Run took place on the Dell Track, where supporters cheered from the stands as kids of all ages crossed the finish line. An awards ceremony for the top race finishers followed, along with some remarks from our partner organizations; Caroline Pinkston (’04), a St. Andrew’s alumna and former Upper School English teacher, gave remarks as a current Program Coordinator at Breakthrough Austin.
The event ran smoothly due in large part to the student volunteers who helped place trail markers, run the food table and raffle, and do face painting. The event coordinator, St. Andrew’s Director of Diversity Kendall Evans, remarks, “I was really impressed with how joyfully the volunteers performed their duties. They really embraced the event and its purpose, which was wonderful to see.” Considering the substantial number of St. Andrew’s seventh- and eighth-grade volunteers, Kendall adds, “I have to give [MS Community Service Coordinator] Carrie Nelson and [Head of Middle School] Alice Nezzer kudos for encouraging the Middle Schoolers to support this event.”
Our inaugural Dash was a welcome opportunity to celebrate St. Andrew's growing diversity and partner organizations—Breakthrough Austin, Con Mi MADRE, and El Buen Samaritano—who address the needs of under-served students in the local area.
Proceeds from this event will go towards establishing a mentored fellowship for a student aged 8-18 who formulates a thoughtful plan aimed at addressing a pressing social issue in their community. Click here for the "Diversity Dash Mentored Fellowship Application" to apply.
Thank you to our partner organizations, our runners, and our volunteers for making this inaugural event such a success. And thank you St. Andrew's parents Yvette Wesbecher and Edie Rogat for sharing your photos with us! Click here to see the photo gallery.
