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Sean’s Run Scholarship Applications Available November 28, 2012 — High school seniors residing in Columbia County who have run cross country or track and field for their school are invited to apply for a Sean Patrick French “Love of Running” Scholarship. Applications, available at www.SeansRun.com, must be submitted by January 15, 2013. Since 2002 the proceeds of the annual Sean’s Run, presented by First Niagara Bank, have supported two areas of interest: scholarships to deserving high school seniors, and grants to schools and youth groups to implement programs designed to combat the problems of underage drinking, impaired driving and lax use of seatbelts by teenagers. Scholarships are awarded annually in three categories. Columbia County residents may apply for the Love of Running scholarships, runners from Section II who have been designated as Sectional Good Sports during the fall cross country season may apply for the Good Sportsmanship Scholarships, and students from Chatham High School may apply for the Community Service scholarships. 80 students from across the region have benefited from Sean’s Run scholarships in the past 10 years. Applicants for the Love of Running scholarships are required to submit a short essay describing how running and participation on their teams has prepared them for the challenges of college. A letter of recommendation from their coach must also be included with the application. The scholarship fund was created by the family of Sean French following his tragic death as a passenger in an underage drunk driving car wreck on January 1, 2002. He was a junior a Chatham High School, an honor roll student and an accomplished runner. Sean loved running and established several school records in his abbreviated career, finishing second at the State Cross Country Championship as a freshman. As a sophomore he took second at the state Track and Field championship in the 1600m, running the distance in 4:18 as a 16 year-old. The scholarship fund is administered by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. It was established using a portion of the proceeds from the inaugural Sean’s Run in 2002 and is supported through ongoing contributions from family and friends. More information about each of the scholarships and Sean’s Run is available at www.SeansRun.com.
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