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Fund-raising event tops goals for three scholarships
By Mike PattyDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
Sunshine broke through the overcast morning skies shortly before the beginning of the first Columbine Memorial 5K Run and Walk on Sunday at Clement Park. Race organizer Creigh Kelley thought the symbolism was perfectly appropriate. "The whole idea behind this race is a celebration," Kelley said. "People have been so weighed down for the past year. We must remember the tragedy and its victims, but we also have to start looking to the future. We need to start healing, and we are. It is happening." More than 2,400 runners and walkers participated in Sunday's race, raising money for three $5,000 scholarships to be given annually to students from Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Chatfield high schools. "We have already raised more than enough to fund the scholarships for this year, and I hope to have a good start on next year," Kelley said. "We will be here on April 22 next year for the second race, and we will be here every year after that." Race officials and participants commented on the upbeat mood that surrounded the event. "The feeling is fantastic," said Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis, who walked the race. "It's nice to see people smiling for a change. We are facing a tough week ahead of us, but this has been a good way to start it." "I'm here to show support for the Columbine victims and their families," said Heather Snyder, a 1996 graduate of Columbine. "But we are also here to celebrate. It feels good to be a part of that." John Visocky, a teacher at Pomona High School and former teacher at Columbine, said races tend to be upbeat events. "This goes a long way in creating recovery," Visocky said. "It is good for the the students and for the community." "This has been a huge success," said Dennis Giannangeli, owner of metro-area Runner's Roost stores, one of the sponsors of the race. "This is what we wanted to do." Winners of the runner's race were Philip Kurori of Kenya with a time of 15 minutes, 46 seconds and Karen Graball of Littleton in 19:16. Winners of the walker's race were Francisco Pantoja of Guanajuato, Mexico, with a time of 22:33 and Peggy Miller of Lakewood with 30:50. All race results will be available Tuesday on the Web site bkbldt.com. This year's scholarships will be awarded in May and June. Seniors at Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Chatfield interested in applying should call Paula Lopez Crespin of New Horizons Credit Union at (303) 744-3535. April 17, 2000
Sunshine broke through the overcast morning skies shortly before the beginning of the first Columbine Memorial 5K Run and Walk on Sunday at Clement Park.
Race organizer Creigh Kelley thought the symbolism was perfectly appropriate.
"The whole idea behind this race is a celebration," Kelley said. "People have been so weighed down for the past year. We must remember the tragedy and its victims, but we also have to start looking to the future. We need to start healing, and we are. It is happening."
More than 2,400 runners and walkers participated in Sunday's race, raising money for three $5,000 scholarships to be given annually to students from Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Chatfield high schools.
"We have already raised more than enough to fund the scholarships for this year, and I hope to have a good start on next year," Kelley said. "We will be here on April 22 next year for the second race, and we will be here every year after that."
Race officials and participants commented on the upbeat mood that surrounded the event.
"The feeling is fantastic," said Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis, who walked the race. "It's nice to see people smiling for a change. We are facing a tough week ahead of us, but this has been a good way to start it."
"I'm here to show support for the Columbine victims and their families," said Heather Snyder, a 1996 graduate of Columbine. "But we are also here to celebrate. It feels good to be a part of that."
John Visocky, a teacher at Pomona High School and former teacher at Columbine, said races tend to be upbeat events.
"This goes a long way in creating recovery," Visocky said. "It is good for the the students and for the community."
"This has been a huge success," said Dennis Giannangeli, owner of metro-area Runner's Roost stores, one of the sponsors of the race. "This is what we wanted to do."
Winners of the runner's race were Philip Kurori of Kenya with a time of 15 minutes, 46 seconds and Karen Graball of Littleton in 19:16. Winners of the walker's race were Francisco Pantoja of Guanajuato, Mexico, with a time of 22:33 and Peggy Miller of Lakewood with 30:50.
All race results will be available Tuesday on the Web site
bkbldt.com.
This year's scholarships will be awarded in May and June. Seniors at Columbine, Dakota Ridge and Chatfield interested in applying should call Paula Lopez Crespin of New Horizons Credit Union at (303) 744-3535.
April 17, 2000