Shaker Heights residents, school staff and students ran to support parent-teacher organizations at the inaugural Shaker Raider 5K and Fun Run Oct. 11.
The race comprised a 5K run and a 1-mile “fun run.” Participants could sign up for the 5K, the fun run, or both. The races started at Aldersyde Drive and ended at the Russell H. Rupp Field. The event attracted 694 pre-registered participants and 739 total participants and was the first collaboration among all eight of Shaker Schools PTOs.
Shaker schools have organized other running events with the goal of fundraising. Shaker Middle School hosts the Rainbow Raider Run annually to fundraise for PTO programs and educational enrichment. The Fernway ABC-123K, a race to support Fernway students and programs, took place during September last year.
Race director Sara Chengelis, a middle school Individuals and Societies teacher, said that every race is a huge event to plan, execute and manage. “They take a lot of effort and time and they’re huge commitments to get done,” she said. Chengelis, SMS Principal Eric Forman, and the district’s PTO leaders planned the Raider 5K “to build community across the schools,” she said.
The south gym parking lot featured a food truck, boba stand, coffee, donuts, T-shirts for participants, and a fundraising table hosted by senior cheerleaders who aim to renovate the senior lounge.
Senior Raiderette Captain Arabella Kielbasa gathered some members of the team to join the event. “I’m running for some good team bonding and to raise support for Shaker schools,” she said.
Faculty and staff were evident among the participants. Choir teacher Nicholas LaPete said that he ran to support all the Shaker schools and PTOs. “I am running because this is a great cause. It’s a new event. I think the PTO does a lot of amazing things for our school system, and fun runs and 5Ks are always a great way to build community and have fun and raise some funds,” he said.
Chengelis said that she hopes the race will become a yearly tradition for the community to band together in support of students and PTOs. She said, “We’d love for it to become an annual event.”
