On September 9, runners from the ages of 8 to 80 gathered for the annual Stephen Ward 9/11 Memorial 5K to benefit the Stephen G. Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund. While the race has been held for the last eight years, the scholarship fund was started directly after the September 11th attack on the World Trade Centers.
Stephen Ward, a Gorham resident, died in the attack. As a way to turn the loss of their son and brother into something positive, the Ward family wanted to help a Gorham student who embodied the characteristics Stephen had. Katie Ward, Stephen’s sister, said those characteristics include academic and athletic performance, leadership and service to the community.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Ward 9/11 Memorial 5KOn September 9, runners of all ages gathered for the 8th annual Stephen Ward 9/11 Memo- rial 5K to benefit the Stephen G. Ward Memorial Scholarship, which goes to a deserving Gorham High School senior. Firefighters from Gorham, Westbrook, Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough were joined by race organizer Katie Ward (middle left) and Allison Dreifus (middle right), who sung the national anthem, at the start of the race.
The very first recipient of the scholarship, David Willis, received $1000 in 2002. Willis is now a business sponsor of the event through Willis Real Estate. Ward said in the past, the award had been split between two recipients, but as a family, they decided they wanted to make more of an impact and now give it to a single recipient. This past school year, Aaron Farr (GHS ’18), who is currently attending Yale University, received a $3500 scholarship.
Making the event possible each year are numerous business sponsors (typically between 10 and 20), donations, and volunteers. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund. Many have been there since the beginning, including runners and walkers, and each year, new businesses partners and volunteers join in.
Photos courtesy of Stephen Ward 9/11 Memorial 5KMany Gorham residents participated in the 5K, with the top honor going to Wil Rossignol (GHS ’18), pictured with race organizer Katie Ward. Brynn Cunningham was the under 13 winner.
When asked if hosting the event each year brought some sort of comfort, Ward said, “The loss of my big brother is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. It is a living grief, always there, under the surface, the bitter in every sweet. Seventeen years has made it easier to endure day to day, but each year, the anniversary of his death intensifies that grief.”
She shared, “The anniversary of his death is a personal, intimate loss for me and my family, and it is also a hugely public and world-wide anniversary with a nation and thousands of families grieving.” As organizers of the 5K, she said her family was able to maintain contact with many of his friends; they share laughs and memories of him year after year. She said, “It makes his life real again.”
The race is a blessing to the Ward family, bringing healing while helping a student in the Gorham community achieve their dreams. Ward hopes it makes her big brother proud.
To learn more about the race, the scholarship or to make a donation, visit the Stephen Ward Memorial 5K Facebook page.
