Sarah DeMille 5K Memorial Run Raises $20K for Scholarships

From an edited press release:

On Saturday, July 19, Santa Margarita Catholic High School celebrated the 6th Annual Sarah DeMille 5K Memorial Run.

The run is held in memory of Santa Margarita alumna Sarah DeMille ’05, who passed away while at college in 2006 in an automobile accident. During her time at SMCHS, Sarah was a dedicated four-year, cross-country runner. Coaches describe her as having had a special spirit, one that was contagious and showed her dedication and beliefs in hard work and commitment in everything she did.

Sarah also left her mark at Applied Medical, the company where she spent two summers working as an intern. 

Following Sarah’s accident, Applied Medical began a scholarship fund in her memory. The Sarah DeMille Memorial Run was then created to fund the scholarship, which is awarded each year to a Lady Eagle Runner who possesses the same qualities that Sarah did. The sixth annual 5K helped secure more than $20,000 for the scholarship fund. 

This year, the trail was filled with alumni, students, families, friends, schools and many runners from across the country who attended to support the event. More than 350 runners raced in support of the memorial event.

The morning also included a “Future Eagle” Fun Run for those 10 years and younger, a pancake breakfast, local vendors and opportunity prizes all to help raise funds for the scholarship. 

Luke Maillard of Phoenix who attends Brophy Prep High School took first place in the general run with a time of 17:56. Alexis Wright, 12, of Highland, Utah came in first on the ladies side with a time of 20:27 followed by Santa Margarita incoming senior Sheridan Scifres of Coto de Caza, who came in as a close second with a time of 21:13. 

“With each year growing bigger and bigger, we can only dream of what next year will bring,” said Lori Gardner, Santa Margarita’s Director of Alumni Programs. 

“The endless support from our wonderful alumni, students, families, sponsors and community is greatly appreciated and instrumental in the success of this event. We are already looking forward to next year’s event continuing to grow bigger and better.” 

Sarah’s mother, Mary Jane DeMille, said the run has been a wonderful way to honor her daughter.

“The event is always so bitter sweet for us and each year I think about how Sarah would feel about this event in her honor and how it has grown,” said Mary Jane DeMille.

“At the very first event I said I thought she’d be a little embarrassed by all the attention, but I would have to say she would be very proud at the growth and the fact we are drawing runners from all over to participate.

"This year, she would be especially pleased that the Santa Margarita Cross Country program is stronger than ever and for the first time the ladies and boys teams are united under the same coaching staff, something Sarah always wanted to see. This will give us the opportunity to open the Sarah DeMille Memorial Scholarship to a runner on the boys’ team along with the selection of a lady runner which is so exciting."