JAZ Alive Memorial Scholarship 5K run steps off Saturday
BESSEMER CITY - A little more than a year ago three seniors at Bessemer City High died in a car wreck.
Those students might be gone, but their parents and the school want to keep their memory alive through the JAZ Alive Memorial Scholarship, which helps a Bessemer City High School senior pay for college.
“JAZ” stands for the three seniors’ names - Jonathan Lynn, Amber Vasquez and Zachary Elliot, all college-bound seniors.
A JAZ Alive 5K started last year to raise money for the scholarship fund. The school’s Student Government Association sponsors the event.
“It’s been hard since it’s the first year after,” said junior Emily Ledbetter. “We feel it’s a great way to get the whole community involved for a good cause.”
Senior Anna Berry said she thought Jonathan, Amber and Zachary would have been proud of the effort.
“They were all very good academic kids. They liked going to school,” Berry said. “I think they would be very impressed.”
The school’s involvement also lets others know they remember their classmates who died too young.
“It’s a way to let the parents know that we have not forgotten their children,” said senior Brittany Burton. “They were once walking through the hallways with us. Their memories will live on through JAZ Alive.”
But the number signing up this year isn’t close to what it was last year, and the race is just a week away.
“We don’t have very many,” said Bessemer City High School teacher Melissa Simmons.
So far, about 40 people have opted to participate. Last year, 160 people signed up. It costs $15 to sign up.
Last year, the JAZ Alive scholarship went to Kristen Gilreath, who attends Appalachian State University.
You can reach Amanda Millard at 704-869-1839.
Want to participate in the JAZ Alive 5K?
The JAZ Alive 5K starts at 9 a.m. May 10 at the corner of Washington Avenue and 12th Street, one block from downtown Bessemer City.
The registration fee is $15.
The run raises money for the JAZ Alive Memorial Scholarship, which helps a Bessemer City High School senior pay for college. It was created in memory of three Bessemer City High School seniors who died in a car wreck a little moreo than a year ago.
For more information, contact Melissa Simmons at Bessemer City High School at 704-629-1731.
Sign up online at www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=LJ2VBK7
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