The annual Lion Pride Run IX started at 4 AM on Thursday, April 10. English teacher Kate Fletcher’s 45-mile route was a direct route from Louisa County High School to Dunkin’ Donuts in Zion Crossroads and back again. On Fletcher’s return, she stopped at Bethel Brews.
Fletcher started the Lion Pride Run in 2015 to raise money for scholarships and give back to students. In previous years, Fletcher ran to Monticello and Washington DC.
“In my classes, year after year, I see committed, hardworking, resilient students, who have overcome difficult obstacles in their lives and endured for the long haul, yet they are not always able to afford the college and trade school opportunities they’ve earned,” Fletcher wrote in an email.
Meredith Williamson’s Leadership class has helped raise money for the Lion Pride Run. Williamson’s students visited local businesses such as Sabor A Mexico, Mineral Barbershop, and NAPA to ask for donations.
“So far, we have raised almost $200 in gift cards that will be auctioned off to students the week of the event and over $8000 that will be given in scholarship form to students who are pursuing their education or career education after high school graduation,” Williamson wrote in an email.
Along with that, the leadership students also helped to organize the event. They advertised on social media, planned the driving route, and contacted the high school and central office administration with ideas to get all of the county schools involved.
“There is so much that goes into planning this kind of event, some of which you would not even consider,” Williamson said in an email. “It requires the businesses or locations to give you the go-ahead to set up; it requires the sheriff who follows her to be available that day; it requires constant communication with all six of our schools to involve as many students as possible; it requires permission forms and chaperones. But mostly, it is down to the finest details.”
The Lion Pride Run brought the community together, representing our One Family. The students of leadership were a reason for the success of the event.
“There is a lot of work that goes into this event, and it joins everyone together in our county.” Senior Ethan McGhee said.
