(ROWLETT, TX – Nov. 20, 2015) On Saturday, November 7th, runners and walkers of all ages, bringing along their children, friends and even their dogs, gathered at the start line in neon green shirts on the Rowlett High School track to take part in a unique nighttime 5k – a glow run – organized by The Men and Ladies of Honor to “shine a light on fatherlessness.”
“Our first 5K was an exciting event for runners and non-runners,” said race director Michael Gallops, who also serves on the Advisory Board for The Men and Ladies of Honor. “Feedback has been good and many have said they are looking forward to next year’s race! I call that a resounding success!”
Over 120 runners were signed up for the inaugural event – the organization’s first 5k – held after dark with paths going out of the stadium lighted with glow sticks.
“It was kind of scary through the woods,” said one runner, “but we kept on going!”
Sponsors kept things lively along the row of booths, with games and giveaways for attendees, and had fun with each other, as well, like the Chick-fil-a cow pretending to box the Texas Land & Cattle manager.
“The race was an amazing experience and the people were excited to be a part of it,” said Jamie Shivers of title sponsor Infinite Nutrition. “We were fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful event for a crucial cause.”
The purpose – and theme – of the HONOR 5k was to bring awareness to the issue of absent fathers, and the impact it has on youths.
- According to the National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools, 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
- A study by the Center for Disease control concluded that 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
- U.S. Census Bureau statistics reflect that 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
“I competed in the race this past weekend mostly because the premise of the race is something that hits very close to home for me,” said Ginger, one of the runners in the Honor5k. Right there on the field, she shared her story with Mr. Gallops. Her life was drastically affected by her father’s absence due to incarceration, affecting her well into her adulthood.
“It was only when I wrote a paper for an English class a few years ago researching the effects on children when a parent is absent that I realized these issues I’ve struggled with all my life (struggles with trust and self worth, etc.) are all just statistical for children in my situation…for the first time in my whole life I finally felt validated!”
“We are so blessed to live in such a great city that gets involved with its youth and cares about their future,” said the organization’s founder, Tony Rorie. “It didn’t just raise funds, but raised a greater awareness of our cause. We saw our community literally ‘shine a light on fatherlessness’.”
The Men and Ladies of Honor is a Rowlett-based organization with extensive U.S. and international outreach, to educate children in character and transform at-risk kids into world-changers and leaders. It began thirteen years ago, as an after-school program in an inner-city charter school, implemented to address student misconduct in a more proactive manner—by cultivating principles of honor and chivalry among essentially fatherless boys.
In Fall 2104, the organization launched Honor Academy, partnering with Steadham Elementary and the City of Rowlett Parks & Recreation department to pilot program models that would work for both environments. Honor Academy teaches kids to CHASE their dreams, with weekly classes on Character, Honor, Accountability, Sacrifice and Excellence.
Pleased with the results, Steadham will continue the program again this year, while the Recreation Center reports the impact was an absolute culture change. The Texas Recreation And Parks Society just named the City of Rowlett as its 2015 winner for Excellence in Programming, due to the strategic implementation of Honor Academy.
Beginning January 2016, any child age 10-15 can register for the first official Honor Academy Class to be hosted by the Rowlett Parks & Recreation Department. Check the department’s website for details.
Race results are posted on itsmyrace.com, with many more photos available on Honor5k facebook page.
Story and photo submitted by Shelley (Jana M.) Edwards, Director of Community Relations & Volunteer Services, The Men and Ladies of Honor | Honor Academy.
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