Runners in last year’s Jessie Day 5K race. (File photo)
“Happyful.” Fun. Smart. Caring. Friendly. This is how family, friends, and classmates remember Jessica Peterson, a Bromfield student who died three years ago.
In memory of their classmate, the Bromfield Class of 2012 will be hosting the third annual Have a Jessie Day 5K on Saturday, May 12, a road race fundraiser for the Jessica Peterson Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to seniors who embody Peterson’s life-loving attitude and sponsors “Jessie-related” activities within the school district.
The class of 2012 established the race two years ago as a way of honoring Peterson and keeping her memory alive.
“It allows people to come together and celebrate Jessie’s life while participating in an event and raising money for a scholarship in her name,” said senior class representative Brenton Stoddart. “We wanted to do something for the community, and we had the ability to do something great and make a big impact.”
The 5K brings not only the senior class together, but the entire Bromfield School, the Harvard community, and Peterson’s family. Organizers say the event would not be possible without the donations made by local businesses.
“I love how we have so many loving and caring people in and out of our town who will take time out of their day to take part in the race,” said senior Brittany Lee, who volunteered at the course’s water stop in the first two races.
The hardest part about this year’s 5K, the members of the senior class say, is not going to be running it. It is the fact that it is the last year they will be in charge of it before graduating and heading off to college. The senior class student government officers said they hope another group of students or community members will take on the race so that the event will continue for years to come.
The 5K has been more successful than race organizers say they ever dreamed it would be when they first began planning it almost three years ago. Between the first two years of the race combined, more than $18,000 has been raised and donated to the Harvard Schools Trust and the Jessie Peterson Scholarship Fund.
Despite its charitable success, the real success of the race is the event itself. On race day, Peterson’s presence has been palpable in many ways. Three-year sponsor Vitamin Water has added a special touch to the event, as the beverage was one of Peterson’s favorites.
Senior Tyler Borton said his favorite part of the race is the casual atmosphere.
“While there are still a few runners who come to win, and most people try their hardest, it’s not uncommon for people to walk the course, or carry friends over the finish line piggy-back,” Borton noted. “It’s much more a social gathering of sorts than it is a competition, and that’s one of the best parts of the event, because it’s supposed to be about remembering Jessie and raising money for a good cause, not about being the fastest runner.”
When asked how she measures the success of the 5K, Stephanie Shea, senior class representative, responded: “I would say the biggest factor of success of the event is the attitude people have about it and bring to it; everyone should have more Jessie days, and if the race makes one of those I’d call it a success.”
More information about the road race and registration can be found at www.haveajessieday.com.
