The Ryan Clark Scholarship is presenting its 5th Annual Run for Ryan 5K Run/Walk on March 15.
This scholarship was founded in memory of Ryan Clark, a former Columbia County student who died a hero during the Virginia Tech Massacre on April 16, 2007 – a spree shooting which killed 32 and wounded 17 others.
Around 7:15 on the day of the massacre, which consisted of two separate attacks on Virginia Technical College’s campus, shooter Seung-Hui Cho shot 19-year-old freshman Emily Hilscher. Upon hearing gunshots, Clark tried to help Hilscher, after which he was shot and killed.
Hilscher died three hours after she was shot.
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Clark’s continued legacy
Although Clark attended Virginia Tech College, he was raised in Martinez, where he attended Lakeside High School.
The scholarship website states that Clark was “a phenomenal student and community servant. He answered the call to help whenever it was necessary.”
The Scholarship was founded by his mother, Letitie Clark, to honor his life and commitment to excellence in serving his community and his academic and musical endeavors.
Three Scholarships are given to high school students each year. The proceeds of the 5k run will go to The 2025 Ryan Clark Scholarship and Community Service Award.
The run will begin at 8 a.m. at Lakeside High, located at 533 Blue Ridge Drive in Evans. Race winners will be announced for 1st and 2nd place in the adult male category and for 1st and 2nd place in the adult female category. Packet pick-up will take place on March 13 at Fleet Feet on Furys Ferry Road starting at 4 p.m. To sign up for the race, visit this link.
