Lighting Up the Night: SSIS Community Runs for a Cause

Recently our SSIS campus was aglow with neon lights and the spirit of community, generosity, and fun, as runners of all ages joined in the Glow Run for a great cause.

The inaugural Glow Run, organized by students in the high school Sports, Recreation, and Leadership classes (teacher Nick Haywood, pictured above), brought together students, families, and faculty for a 45-minute run around the campus in support of the Lotus Charity Foundation, which provides essential food and healthcare services to Vietnam’s homeless and underprivileged.

A Run with Purpose

Under the soft evening lights and the glow of neon bracelets, participants of all ages took to the cross-country course, making their way from the frontfield to the backfield, and back again.

Whether running for fitness or walking for fun, the energy was contagious as the participants cheered and encouraged each other along the route. Every step taken was a step toward making a difference, as donations raised during this inaugural event will go toward directly supporting the important work of the Lotus Charity Foundation.

Students Lead the Charge

We have the students in the “Sports, Recreation, and Leadership” class to thank for this community-building initiative to combine fundraising and recreation. As an assessment task, the students organized the Glow Run from start to finish, managing every aspect, from planning and logistics to execution and evaluation. What a fun experience for the SSIS community!

“The preparation in both organizing classes was great. They collaborated very well, and the clarity around their roles was on point. It’s great as a teacher to see these young people take ownership of something and then become so passionate about the community aspect. We have some great young leaders in this school, and events like this give them an opportunity to strut their stuff,” shared Mr. Haywood.

“The Glow Run was a great experience to meet new people and to exercise. I was surprised to see how many people showed up and it was just so great to see everyone coming together to raise money for a great cause. This was all possible thanks to all the people who were involved, ” shared Hansana, one of the high schoolers.

Glow and Grow

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this event and to the students who worked tirelessly to make it happen, showcasing the very best of SSIS: a community united in purpose, driven by compassion, and always ready to shine—both figuratively and literally!