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Downers Grove has enjoyed a beautiful fall, with many sunny and warm days. This good weather has helped the Fairmount Run Club have a tremendous fall season! On Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, nearly 100 Fairmount students gather behind the school, where they stretch and run laps around a quarter mile field. At the end of each lap, students take a colored stick from a box to track how far they’ve gone.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to get some exercise and socialize with friends. They enjoy collecting the colored sticks to see how far they can run and challenge themselves to run farther,” said Colleen Brejcha, a Fairmount fifth grade teacher and co-sponsor of the Fairmount Run Club.
The Fairmount Run Club started in 2018 by Mrs. Brejcha and fellow Fairmount teacher Alicia Micele. It quickly became a very popular after-school activity. New this year, many of the students are sporting blue “Run Strong Fairmount” t-shirts. These t-shirts were donated to every Run Club participant by the Meredith Williams Foundation.
The Meredith Williams Foundation is a local organization that raises and donates money to support community projects, with much of their financial support benefiting District 58 students. It was started by retired District 58 teachers Jim and Pam Williams, in honor of their daughter, Meredith, who passed away in 2010.
The donation is personal for Mrs. Brejcha. That’s because Mr. Williams was her science teacher when she attended O’Neill Middle School many years ago. Years later, she had the pleasure of teaching Mr. Williams’ daughter, Meredith, in fifth grade. Mr. Williams recalled that Colleen was his daughter’s favorite teacher.
“What she did for Meri academically, socially, and emotionally is immeasurable. As you know, she is at the pinnacle of educators,” said Mr. Williams.
Over the years, Jim and Pam Williams, through the Meredith Williams Foundation, have supported the Fairmount Run Club, previously donating motivational water bottles and key chains. Thank you, Meredith Williams Foundation, for your generous donations!
What do students say about the Fairmount Run Club?
“I like the challenge of Run Club. I like to run 5Ks and the Run Club helps me prepare.”
- Noah, fifth grader
“I like running around, being in nature, and being with friends. 17 (4.25 miles) is my record number of laps, and I like pushing myself”
- Axel, fourth grader
“ I like running with friends. I have a lot of energy and running helps me focus my mind and think more clearly. While I run I can think of things that interest me, like Egyptian artifacts, for example.”
- Will, fourth grader
“I run for fun. It’s good preparation for middle school cross country. I’ve learned how to pace myself and try to do my best.”
- Hannah, sixth grader
