On Thursday, April 10th, the Lincoln North Star Hope Squad hosted its first ever Run For Hope. The Run For Hope is an event to raise awareness about suicide and prevention. 

Members from all over the North Star faculty participated in the event. Teachers, counselors, and students were all eager to participate and have fun. 

Even the girls tennis team used the run as a warmup for their practice later in the day. Varsity Tennis player, Ruby Swanson said how the event was “really fun” and that ”the hope squad did a really good job of hosting the run.” She goes on to say that “the members of the hope squad were really encouraging when [she] was running and it was really rewarding to eat snacks after the run.”

Teachers, Counselors, and students all gathered around the front of the school before the race. They had the choice to walk (or run) two laps around the school. While most people took the run casually, Titus Teah (9) and David Manzo (10) raced neck and neck with Teah eventually coming out on top and breaking through the finish line banner. 

After running or walking, participants were invited to hang out and enjoy the various things set up by the hope squad. The members of the hope squad had tables set up with snacks, drinks, music, and Run For Hope Memorabilia like sunglasses and t-shirts. 

Among the students and staff was therapy dog Tillie. Tillie participated in the walk around the school and was rewarded with a few bites of a donut afterward. Tillie continues to bring students from all over the school comfort whenever they need it. 

Despite the windy conditions, the Run For Hope was an overwhelmingly positive event. The Run For Hope was very successful and the Hope Squad is already looking forward to making this event a yearly tradition.