The Kauai Marathon and Kauai Coffee are excited to announce the inaugural Youth Running Program Scholarship that will award two $500 scholarships to one male and one female graduating senior from Kauai. The student-athletes do not need to be planning
The Kauai Marathon and Kauai Coffee are excited to announce the inaugural Youth Running Program Scholarship that will award two $500 scholarships to one male and one female graduating senior from Kauai.
The student-athletes do not need to be planning on running in college, but rather have been a positive influence on their cross country or track team while in high school. The scholarship applications are due Monday, March 16. A committee will select the two recipients for the scholarships and they will be presented at an award ceremony following the Roots ‘n Shoots Fun Run and Walk April 4 at the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Applications are available online at www.thekauaimarathon.com. Please submit to Tyler McCandless via email at tcm5026@gmail.com.
The Kauai Marathon Youth Running Program presented by Kauai Coffee was initiated by The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon multi-year champion and course record holder, Tyler McCandless in 2013 as an avenue to give back to the community that has made such an impact on his personal and professional life. The focus of the program is to make a positive difference with the youth of Kauai by educating students on the benefits of healthy choices both in nutrition and exercise while promoting health and happiness.
In the first year, Tyler worked with The Kauai Marathon staff in developing a program involving elementary and high school youth through classroom and school assembly presentations on the effects of exercise and nutrition on mental and physical health.
Building on the successes of the 2013 program, Tyler returned in early August and started a mentorship program involving high school students and fifth graders from Kalaheo, Koloa and Island schools. The mentorship program brings the youth together with their mentors for monthly runs throughout the year with a presentation each week focused on making healthy lifestyle choices.
With strong community support, TKMYRP has raised over $5,000 to be used to further the program in future years as well as establish the scholarship program in 2015.
“I have worked really hard and been supremely dedicated to achieving my goals in the marathon,” McCandless said. “Winning the marathon for three years in Kauai is my greatest athletic achievement, yet I’m most proud of TKMYRP and making a positive impact in the Kauai community. Together with the support of Kauai Coffee, friends, family, and the rest of the community, it’s time to utilize the success of TKM to benefit the youth of the island.”
Support of The Kauai Marathon Youth Running Program can be made through The Kauai Marathon, a Hawaii 501(c) 3, via mail by check or money order to The Kauai Marathon Youth Running Program, PO Box 573 Koloa, HI, 96756.
Or visit http://www.thekauaimarathon.com/2015/01/the-kauai-marathon-youth-running-program-–-presented-by-kauai-coffee/ and donate via PayPal.
The seventh annual Kauai Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6 in Poipu.
Info: www.thekauaimarathon.com.
