April 03, 2009
Holroyd '09 organizes successful road race
Clark University senior Sarah S. Holroyd, of Sandy Hook, Conn., and two fellow students won Clark’s U-Reka contest for conceptualizing a 5K road race/walk titled “Green Run” to help raise awareness of environmental issues in the community and to encourage sustainable behavior. The U-Reka Contest was created by Clark’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship program to encourage students to help make improvements to the Clark campus community.
Holroyd, Bonnie Unger of Woodbridge, Conn., and Maria Arabatzis of Saco, Maine, used the $5,000 they earned from the contest to bring their idea to life on Sunday, April 5, on campus and in the surrounding Main South neighborhood.
The "Green Run" was a USA Track & Field certified fundraiser with an official timer. One hundred seventeen runners paid a $10 registration fee and were also encouraged to conduct their own fundraising. The event raised approximately $1,300, all of which was donated to the Regional Environmental Council, Inc (REC), a grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to build strong, healthy, sustainable communities in the City of Worcester.
"Environmental sustainability has become a strong passion of mine," said Holroyd. "I believe Clark University has the unique ability to become a higher education leader and trendsetter in the environmental movement. I wanted to create an event that would get students, faculty, and Worcester locals involved in raising awareness and in encouraging sustainable behavior. The Green Run will facilitate Clark in advocating environmental stewardship in the surrounding community."
Holroyd said that the Clark community was really supportive of her idea. In addition to the funds she received for winning the U-Reka contest, the group was given an additional $2,600 from Student Council.
"We spent the entire school year developing the event and students are now volunteering to take over and make the event a reality for next year. We're hoping the Green Run will become an annual happening!" she said.
This year's U-Reka Contest yielded 22 entries, from which a panel of judges selected four finalists. Clark students and faculty voted on the finalists through an online survey. The Green Run got the majority of the 297 votes and was declared the winner.
Holroyd is the daughter of Michael Holroyd and Carla Seymer. She graduated from Newtown High School in 2005. At Clark, she majors in management, with a concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing her MBA through Clark's Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program.