There’s still time to register for a fundraiser that benefits a local scholarship.
The 3rd annual Run for Ryan 5k run/walk on March 18 benefits the Ryan “Stack” Clark Scholarship. Ryan Clark was a 2002 Lakeside High School graduate who was killed in a shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007.
His mom and scholarship chairperson Letitie Clark said he was a triple major at Virginia Tech in biology, psychology and English and a member of the Marching Virginians Band. Ryan Clark was trying to help another student when he was killed, according to the Ryan Clark Scholarship website.
In 2010, the Ryan Clark Scholarship and Community Service Award for students ages 14 to 19. Letitie Clark said she raised her three children to give back to the community, and that’s exactly what her son always did.
“What we do is give out three scholarships a year, a $2,000, a $1,000 and a $500 (one) in May, which is Ryan’s birth month,” Clark said. “It’s for community service, just for giving back to the community. Everybody can’t be the best athlete, everyone can’t make straight A’s, but anyone can get that community service, that’s kind of my motto.”
Run for Ryan is a way to raise money for the scholarship. Letitie Clark said it was started during COVID because the organization needed a way to raise funds.
“We decided ok let’s do a run instead of Zumba. We used to do Zumba. We probably will do it again now,” Letitie Clark said. “So, we started that and it has really grown in the last just three years. We’re very excited about it.”
There have been 150 to 200 people in attendance each year and that number is continuing to grow, Letitie Clark said. This year the event this year will take place at Lakeside High School and start at 8 a.m. As for why people should participate, Letitie Clark said it’s a good way to give back to the community.
“We also want to help our young people and let them know we notice what they’re doing, everything is not bad that you hear in the news. We want them to know your community supports you and we just want to give back,” LetitieClark said.
Clark added that she’s appreciative of Richmond and Columbia counties and all their support for the scholarship.
“They do support the scholarship, they support the effort, they’re always ready to say we can help you, what can we do to help you do what you need to do,” Letitie Clark said. “I just want to give a lot of props to Lakeside High School because they’re amazing.”
Since it started, Letitie Clark said there have been around 36 scholarships awarded. The scholarship application process is currently open and those interested can apply online.
To register for the race, apply for the scholarship, or make a donation, visit https://www.ryanstackclark.org.
