courtesy of Mrs. Wilson
Convent of the Sacred Heart students, families, and friends all tied their sneakers and ran for a cause on Saturday, April 13 at the second annual Run for Uganda. The Africa Task Force and Community Service club sponsored the event, which consisted of a 1K walk and 5K run. The goal was to raise enough money to provide tuition for two students at Sacred Heart’s sister school in Uganda.
Many families participated in the 1K “fun run” not only to support the worthy cause but also to enjoy a brisk walk around campus. After the walk, about 50 runners, slightly less than last year at Sacred Heart’s first run, ran two full laps around the school’s campus in the 5K race.
The winners in the 5K run were Head of the Language Department, Dr. Kevin Donnelly, in first place, Assistant Head of School Mr. Michael Baber in second, and an elementary school boy in third. Over $2,000 was raised for the Sacred Heart secondary school in Uganda, $500 more than last year.
“I am really happy I ran and was able to donate money to such an amazing cause,” freshman and runner in the 5K race Lilly Morriss said.
Mrs. Lori Wilson, Director of Campus Ministry and Upper School Community Service, says she is very proud of how the fundraiser went. However, she is looking forward to next year’s event in the hopes that it will be bigger and better.
“Next year we will move the run to the fall and make it a bigger event, inviting other girls’ schools in the area to participate so we can continue to make a difference and stay connected to our sisters Uganda,” Mrs Wilson said.
courtesy of Mrs. Wilson
Mrs. Wilson is also very impressed with the amount of volunteers that attended the event.
“I think it shows a lot about the commitment our girls have to creating a better world,” Mrs. Wilson said.
Sister Seco, RSCJ and Ugandan native, spoke at the event about the importance of educating girls, claiming that an education improves both their individual lives and society as a whole.
Sister Seco explained that girls who remain uneducated are more likely to be married and have children at a younger age. As a graduate of the Sacred Heart school in Uganda, Sister Seco understands the difference that an education can make in a young girl’s life. She will be returning to Uganda soon to begin her work with the secondary Sacred Heart school there.
“Sr. Seco’s talk was great, it was empowering and it made all the runners and walkers feel really confident and happy because they knew they were making a difference.” junior Paige Wilkens said.
– Maddie Caponiti, Staff Writer
