Late in 2017, as part of my mission to promote HS distance running, I began thinking about awarding a (then StanCo Distance) scholarship. There was a lengthy discussion/negotiation with my wife about the amount and logistics. So in the Spring of 2018 I awarded one $500 scholarship to Riverbank's Carlos Aguilera. That initial idea began to grow as people wanted to donate to the cause. Additionally, Ken Rhoades (Atwater) and Tim McCabe (Pitman) had the idea of hosting a XC race each Fall named after me. One of the purposes of this meet would be to raise awareness of the scholarship and encourage donations. Well the community's generosity has grown each year. In the past twelve months about $3500 dollars were given/donated to the fund allowing me to award seven $500 scholarships this year. The amount of the donations varied from $20 to $500. I am a firm believer that every penny counts and I appreciate any amount. Please see the bottom of this post where I give a shout out to all of the donors.
So the scholarship applicants are scored on their GPA, community service, years competing as a distance runner, a coach's letter regarding the runner's leadership ability, and an essay relating to how distance running has positively impacted their life (excerpts of the essays are included below) . They are NOT scored on how fast they run, how well I know them, or whether a parent donated to the cause. There were twenty applicants and seven winners this year.
I am going to summarize each of the winners, including a portion of their essay. They are in alphabetical order:
SOPHIE BENHAM (Hughson) has a 4.0 weighted GPA, is headed to CSU Stanislaus to major in Liberal Studies/Elementary Education. She ran all four years of both track and XC.
... "I remember my my mom dropped me off at the gym one day and I told her I didn't even know why I was trying anymore because even if I could run I would never be any good again. or I would just get hurt again. But I didn't quit. The hardest part wasn't even the work I had to put in, it was getting back on the line not knowing what my potential was anymore. I went through a lot of physical pain with the injuries and long hours of training, but the mental side was somehow much harder. Even so, I wasn't willing to give up on the sport I loved, ever. Running taught me that nothing is guaranteed, and you do it anyway. It's not always fair, and it's definitely not easy, but that's not the point. When you truly love something, you stop asking why it's harder for you and just accept what it takes. That mindset is something I'll carry with me far beyond running."
JACE CAMPOS (Pacheco) has a 4.56 weighted GPA, is headed to CSU Stanislaus to major in mathematics. He ran all four years of both track and XC.
..."Distance running has positively influenced my life by encouraging a healthier lifestyle, strengthening my relationships with my friends and family, and shaping an important mindset. Through running, I have discovered a sense of discipline and personal growth that not everyone easily finds. It has given me not only physical strength but also a deeper appreciation for perseverance, connection, and self-improvement; lessons that I will carry with me long after high school." ... "But distance running also helped me bond with my dad. He wanted to coach me and spend time with me, so this was the sport that brought us together." ..."Distance running has become far more than just a sport to me; it is a part of who I am. It has shaped my habits, strengthened my relationships, and taught me to value growth over perfection."
GISELLE FERNANDEZ (Riverbank) has a 4.22 weighted GPA, is headed to Northern Arizona University to major in biology. She ran all four years of both track and XC.
..."Having an older sibling who was immensely successful in running put tremendous pressure on me to match his achievements. Early on, I measured my success by whether I could meet those expectations of running fast times and winning races. When I fell short, it made the sport feel frustrating and it turned something I enjoyed into a source of stress. I often pushed myself too hard in training, believing that the more intense I worked, the better I would get. Eventually, distance running taught me that growth does not happen overnight. I began to focus less on comparison and more on my own improvement, trusting that consistent effort would lead to progress."
NOELI GOMEZ OROZCO (Hughson) has a 4.0 weighted GPA, is headed initially to MJC to major in psychology. She ran all four years of both track and XC.
... "Running has taught me the definition of perseverance. It has built my determination. It has built my determination, leadership, mental and physical strength, and my resilience to numerous challenges." ... "I struggled with all kinds of injuries: hip and shin pains, ankles, blisters, slow times, as well as some major burn out. But, I knew my worth"..."But, it has made a significant impact in my life. It has brought me joy, a sense of freedom, and happiness. Sometimes, you just have to go that extra mile."
SALOME GOMEZ ZULUAGA (Atwater) has a 4.38 weighted GPA, is headed to UCLA to major in biochemistry. She ran all four years in both track and XC.
... "Cross counrty and track have shaped my life in ways I did not expect. Running has taught me that growth is never dramatic. Instead, it happens in small, quiet improvements. A few seconds off a personal record, one more speed interval completed faster than target pace, or a long run that feels slightly less impossible than it did the weekend before. Even though I wanted improvement to show immediately, running showed me that consistency matters more than instant results." ... "Running taught me how to live with discomfort during situations I don't have control over, and that's a lesson I am able to apply to different situations in my life."..."Running has also become a space where I feel happy and at ease the most. The early morning summer practices and running on the same canal that suddenly became so familiar has given structure to my everyday life. On days when things felt overwhelming and confusing, running helped me clear my mind. It reminds me that progress is earned one step at a time."
JYMENA NGUYEN MARQUEZ (Grace Davis) has a 4.55 weighted GPA, is headed to UC Irvine to major in nursing. She ran all four years of both track and XC.
... "it fostered many non-cognitive skills and qualities that have, and will continue to lead me to success. Grit, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to overcome obstacles are all valuable traits that my participation in cross country and track has encouraged. Throughout these years, I have had to work hard on days in which the temperatures rose above 100F and even during days of pouring rain. However, these grueling hours of practice and grueling minutes of racing have only trained me to stay focused and work towards my goal."..."Distance running has completely changed my life and shaped who I am today. While it is a rigorous sport, I am grateful I am a part of this community, and the memories and lessons gathered throughout my journey will continue to follow me in my future."
HAYES TERRY (Beyer) has a 4.55 weighted GPA, is headed to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to become a commercial pilot. He ran all four years of XC and three years of track.
"...Little did I know this would be one of the most important and life changing decisions I would make, up to this point in my life. Distance running has brought meaning through relationships and a new found work ethic to my life that I'm not sure I would have found otherwise." ..."I still keep in touch with my previous teammates who mentored me during my first years of running. The bond I share with my current teammates is even stronger, we continue to push each other competitively both in the world of distance running and in life. We hold each other accountable and don't let anyone drop a workout for the sake of being lazy." ..."I realized early on that hard work in this sport isn't something that you can fake. You must fully commit yourself mentally and physically to every practice, no matter what you are going through. The sport itself keeps you accountable. If you fail to put in the work, your race and body will be sure to let you know."
A huge thank you to those who donated: Lisa Jensen, Brandy Gemperle, Scott Mitchell, Tara Terry, Carmen Kearney, Michelle Fahrney, Elizabeth Carlson, Debbie Kleinfelder, Melissa Lima, Ramon Mejia, Jacquelyn DeLaCruz, Michele Livak, Natalie Rowe, Jean Stanley, Jon Wooding, Hilmar Track, Enochs XC, Beyer XC, Denair XC, Atwater XC, Escalon XC, Grace Davis XC, Hilmar XC, and Orestimba XC. I am extra thankful to Hughson XC, personal friend Michael Woody who I have known for over 50 years, and recently deceased legendary starter Chuck Buettner. Each of these final three funded one complete scholarship. Finally I thank my wife, Kim Durham, for allowing me to fund one of the scholarships and devote most of my waking hours to our regional distance runners.
After reading about the scholarship saga for this year, if you are feeling moved to donate for next year's process here is my Venmo. 100% of all donations go straight to the scholarship fund. Thank you
I'll see you out on the course and the track, I'll be the one in orange and black.
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