By Kara Hallam
Staff Writer
On Saturday, Run for Life raised $6,309 in honor of Jonah Blackwell for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. What originally started as an English project is now becoming a legacy thanks to the hard work of one motivated student.
Coppell High School senior George Fairchild founded the Coppell Run for Life 5K in May 2013 after his cross country teammate, Blackwell,
passed away in October 2012.
He was prompted by his AP English III Humanitarian Aid project where students were asked to just make a difference in the world in one semester. Last year’s 5K had incredible success. Because of this, Fairchild’s CHS junior cross country friends Sarina Naik and Jessie Cranmer asked him if they could sponsor a Run for Life 5K for their Humanitarian Aid project.
“After last year we had a successful race so I talked to Jessie and said let’s continue it again. At first we struggled but this whole group has worked together very hard and to pull off a good race,” Fairchild said.
Naik and Cranmer formed a group of ten in Linda Moore’s AP English III class who worked steadily to pull off the 5K.
“Fairchild gave us the torch to do this 5K. Suicide is a rising cause of death so it is good for our generation to spread awareness,” Naik said.
Last year, other AP English III teacher Tracy Henson supervised the 5K.
“It’s amazing really to see the kids feeling so connected to something that we did in class that they are willing to come back this year. To see George that dedicated to something that started in my classroom and to see him carrying it on to some of the younger kids is great,” Henson said.
The race began at 8 a.m. on May 17 at Andy Brown East park with over 150 participants. The organization raised over $6,000.
“After Jonah died it was really hard for me but when you you do something like this it’s so meaningful to remember your friend like this that it helps you move on,” Fairchild said. “So now when I think of Jonah I remember all the happy moments that happened in cross country.”
Almost all of the boy’s cross country team came out to support their fellow teammate, Blackwell. A good majority of them placed as the fastest runners in the 5K as well.
“I love racing and it’s an honor to come here and support a fellow teammate. It wasn’t optional for me,” CHS senior and first place runner Carson Vickroy said.
Third place finisher CHS junior Josh Thomas kept Blackwell in mind as well to motivate him to complete the race.
“My teammate passed away last year so I wanted to run in honor of him and make him feel
proud,” Thomas said.
After two years of success, Fairchild hopes the 5K continues even after he graduates. Henson confirms the Humanitarian Aid project will continue and it is possible another handful of juniors will chose the Run for Life 5K as their cause.
“I’ll be in college next year but I’m hoping Jessie will continue it on and ask a junior to do it next year,” Fairchild said.
