Announcement

The Village School Run for a Reason

Posted by Village School Athletics on Jan 21 2016 at 07:45AM PST in 2015-16
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It was a dark and chilly morning with temperatures hovering right at 39 degrees. We loaded the Village School bus and began the journey to the George R. Brown Convention Center. The air was heavy with anticipation as we chatted excitedly about the morning ahead of us. We, a group of twelve students and six staff members, were about to participate in the Houston Half Marathon. Together, we represented a cross section of seasoned race participants, half marathon novices and record-holding Cross Country runners. While our experiences and ages were vastly different, our goal was the same. We were all running for a reason. The reason, a special place for Autistic children and adults called Avondale House, stayed close in our minds and hearts with each passing mile.

We had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the amazing students and staff of Avondale when we visited the school for a pre-marathon pep rally on January 15th. With our mascot and drum line leading the festivities, we laughed, cheered and danced alongside the Avondale students. An emotional experience for us all, it definitely made what we were about to do all the more important.

For our students, it was powerful to see a group of their peers face a unique set of challenges with bravery and grace. For our staff, it was equally powerful to see the caring staff of Avondale House give so much of themselves to the young people in their charge. And for those of us who are also parents, we could only imagine the small sense of peace the Avondale parents have each day knowing that they can leave what is most precious to them in the care of these kind professionals.

With the Avondale experience fresh in our minds, we hit the starting line last Sunday morning with steadfast determination to run for a reason. Though some miles were tough, it was the faces of Avondale that kept us going.

The Village School Run for a Reason Team

Gabriella Rowe, Head of School
Dustin Embrey, Director of Athletics and Ancillary Programs
Paige Harris, Senior Director of Marketing, PR and Communications
Kim Healy, Senior Director of Campus Coordination and Events
Jen McMahon, Director of Admissions
Amy DeBakey, Assistant Director of Admissions
Alison – Senior
Alvaro – Senior
Alexandre – Sophomore
Philip – Senior
Fernanda – Junior
Charlotte – Junior
Sabrina – Senior
Ji – Junior
Javier – Sophomore
Federico – Sophomore
Marco – Sophomore

Runners in the 13 for 13 for 13
Ben – Sophomore
Nikita – Senior

Outstanding Performances

Junior cross country runner and defending TAPPS 4A State Champion, Charlotte S, ran a time of 1:35.04, which placed her 4th overall for her age group. Sophomore cross country runner, Alexandre A-J, ran a time of 1:32.41, which placed him 9th overall for his age group. Great job by both of these runners on their outstanding finishes. On behalf of the Village School Athletic Department, we could not be more proud of the entire team of runners for their remarkable achievement and inspiring determination.