Starting this year, students who participate in Students on the Go must complete eight hours of community service. The Students on the Go (SOTG) program wants students to get more involved in the running community.
“The rule made me evaluate my life and how I give back to the community,” junior Allison Logan said. “It has influenced me to really think about how I don’t give back enough to St. Louis.”
This is Logan’s first year participating in SOTG. However, others such as junior and second year participant, Ryan Ellinger, felt a little differently.
“I was a little bit annoyed [about the new requirement],” Ellinger said. “But, I’m fine with it because it’s a good thing.”
In addition, not only can students give back in the community while participating in a half marathon, but students have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship. Senior Jake Schwartz will have to write an essay, as well as be one of the top runners in the race in April.
“I’m excited to apply for this scholarship as a couple people from our school have gotten it,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz has been participating in SOTG for three years now. Although he does not like it, he understands why SOTG implement this new policy.
“It ensures that people are actually prevalent in the race, based on community,” Schwartz said.
For Schwartz’s community service, he will find any races that are in the area and volunteer to help.
“I personally do not agree with this requirement, as many people will not fulfill it and the number of participants in the half marathon will decrease,” Schwartz said.
According to Terri O’Leary, coordinator for SOTG, this year the number of students participating have doubled in numbers. The average this year is thirty-four students.
“To give back to the community with service is a good way to show you are ready for the marathon and as students you have an obligation to do some sort of service throughout the year,” first year participant sophomore Gottlieb Gerstenecker said.
Community service options consist of volunteering at a run/walk, cleaning up around your school, hosting a canned food drive, or volunteering at a local non-profit organization.
“The running community is very positive and giving,” O’Leary said. “Students will benefit by being a part of such a community.”
According to O’Leary, the new requirement of community service will “involve students in more aspects of the running community.”
Gerstenecker already does so many service projects that the requirement of community service is nothing major to him. Sophomore and first year participant, Erin Brozek babysits regularly, so getting eight hours of community service will not be an issue.
“I really like the idea of giving back to the community as a requirement to run,” Logan said. “I’m grateful it is a requirement so I can do my part by contributing my service to the community.”
If for some reason a student has not done their eight hours of community service by April 9th, 2017, students will not be able to participate in the half marathon.
