Michaela Lumpert, Campus Carrier Staff Writer
This Saturday, April 14, the sophomore class officers are holding a fun run in honor of David Shankles, and a fundraiser to raise money for the Berry College Student Emergency Relief Fund.
The idea for the race came when sophomore class president Bailey Dingley and the rest of the sophomore class officers discovered the need to help the community honor David as well as raise money for the relief fund. The relief fund, as Dingley describes, is for students who are paying for tuition but an emergency happens in their life. That emergency could be anything from a death in the family and they need money to fly home, or they don’t have the money for health insurance and they need new glasses. Whatever the unforeseen event may be, the fund is there to help them in that need.
“We wanted to do something that was lasting, something that people would enjoy and honor David,” Dingley said.
Sophomore class secretary Nate Maiwald is in charge of the promotion and fundraising for the run, and described how the run will impact the community.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to honor and recognize someone who was really involved on this campus,” Maiwald said.
It has been a difficult time for students, and Maiwald is glad to have the event bring the community together for the run.
“Especially coming off of Be Berry week, this is a great way to support the Berry community, and love on each other,” Maiwald said.
Sophomore Diamond Newsome, a close friend of David, describes the joy she has when discussing how the community has banded together to be there for one another during the grieving process.
“I can’t believe how many people signed up, because at first I thought it wouldn’t be too many, but it’s really comforting to know that everyone is supporting the run and coming together to run it,” sophomore Diamond Newsome said.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” freshman David Lindsey said, “I didn’t know David personally, but I am running to support those who knew him well and are still grieving for him.”
So far there are about 70 students and faculty signed up for the race, which will start in front of Krannert. If it rains on Saturday, the run will happen inside the Cage center. The sophomore class officers hope that this event will become an annual event, and David’s legacy will continue to positively impact this campus.
“We are really excited, and we hope this is good way to honor David Shankles,” Dingley said.