Atherton’s National Honor Society chapter volunteered at the Derby City 10k in downtown Louisville last Saturday, March 21st.
Members of the club showed up at 5:30 am to help lay out bottled water, gatorade, and fruit on tables at the race’s finish line at Louisville Slugger Stadium. Volunteers donned a hoodie and orange vest distributed by the event organizers, working from the early morning until around 10:30 am. During the event, they cheered on the racers who crossed the finish line while handing out refreshments and giving medals to the participants.
Kyle Lawson (12) was one of the club members who volunteered, helping set up and hand out water bottles to runners. He hopes that the example the club sets will inspire people to be willing to help others.
“I think it’s just important to help people. Because if everyone was only fending for themselves, and no one was helping each other, this world would be so much worse,” said Lawson. “So we’re hoping to kick start that chain a bit more.”
The National Honor Society’s officers chose the race as the chapter’s service project because it provided an opportunity for the entire club to participate and have a role.
“I researched nearby races and found the Derby City 10k, where I saw on their website that all proceeds would go towards WHAS Crusade of Children and they could handle a large amount of volunteers,” said Madhi Bevab (12), treasurer for N.H.S. and main organizer for the service project. “I filled out a form on their website, and later the Volunteer Coordinator emailed me the registration form which each member had to complete. It was a very smooth process, and we were all very appreciative to have been a part of a charitable cause like Crusade for Children!”
The Derby City 10k is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Running, a series of three races all based in Louisville. Founded in 1984, the 10 kilometer (which is 6.2 miles long) race has participants running past iconic landmarks like Whisky Row and Slugger Museum, and finishing at Slugger Stadium.
Freshmen Academy teacher Erin Trussell signed up to participate in all three Triple Crown races. She was excited to run because she had just recovered from an injury, and seeing all the Atherton students at the 10k finish line lifted her spirits even higher.
“It was just a nice, positive way to end [the race] for sure. Hearing a bunch of students shout my name, that’s everything,” said Trussell.
Trussell was not the only Atherton teacher present at the race. Media Arts teacher Holly McArthur, librarian Susan Gasaway, and math teacher Michael Sick all decided to push themselves Saturday morning, many of them not expecting to see some of their students at the finish line. Sick is planning to run all three Triple Crown races followed by the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon which is 26. 2 miles.
After the race ended and participants of all ages had completed the course, volunteers had an opportunity to enjoy some donuts from Derby city, a deserved sweet treat for a job well done.
Check out more of Sheesley’s (12) photography here
