The inaugural Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Heroes Challenge will take place on Feb. 23 at the Parkland Equestrian Center and Liberty Park. This event will include an obstacle course that is open to anyone of any age or skill level. This event was founded by Parkland community activists Doug Eaton, Amy Kenny, Debra Hixon, and Manny Mair to raise awareness and support for the remembrance of the tragic events that transpired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018, in which 17 lives were lost. Individual registration is $25 and a team of at least 4 people is $15 per person. According to the press release, on the day of “registration opens at 6:30 AM and the race starts at 7:30 AM. Participants may register for [an] 11:15 AM yoga-only session with Amy Kenny for a small donation or as part of their race package.” Participants can register at www.active.com/parkland-fl/other-endurance/races/msd-heroes-challenge-2019.
“It is a great way to be involved in my community and to give back to Parkland and to be able to help out locally rather than at the state or national level with our political actions and help out in my community and have a good time with family and friends,” said Lizzie Eaton, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Eaton has been involved in the #NeverAgain Movement, and the rest of the Eaton family has “been actively working on solutions to help keep the community safer,” according to a press release. “There are a lot of volunteers that are part of different clubs and organizations [at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School] because they can get hours as well as help the community.”
The money raised at this event will fund scholarships to local student leaders and will help to support Stand with Parkland. Stand with Parkland is an organization founded by the families of the victims. Stand with Parkland is “committed to advocating for practical public safety reforms focused on the safety of our children and staff at school, improved mental health support, and responsible firearms ownership. Personal responsibility and a desire for change are paramount to this effort, and it is the people involved at all levels that will make these goals a reality,” according to their mission statement.
For those unable to attend, but would still like to support this event, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Heroes Challenge will be accepting donations on their Crowdrise page. All funds will go towards scholarships for student leaders.
