SBEF’s 2008 Running for the Arts – Successful and Fun!
 Spring Branch Education Foundation’s 16th annual 5K Running for the Arts Run/Walk in early May was a huge success, according to Gary Junek, chair, SBEF Board of Directors. “We saw more than a 60 percent increase in registrations and proceeds over previous years,” he said.
More than 1500 registrations, including Saturday Sleep-In Sponsors, produced more than 1300 participants from competitive runners to elementary school students entering their first event.
“It was more than a Run/Walk,” said chair Patti Kroger. “It was a community festival. All the music, the children’s activities, the breakfast, the families participating together – it all combined to make a wonderful morning.”
 The SBEF Board of Directors approved the distribution of proceeds from the event: $35,000 will support Spring Branch Independent School District’s Fine Arts department and $5,000 will benefit the Health Fitness Teachers Association.
The Fine Arts department coordinates the SBEF-supported Arts Partners Program which provides cultural arts field trips for SBISD students, grades one through eight. Students experience performances and exhibitions by premier arts organizations such as the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera or the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – many for the first time.
The Health Fitness Teachers Association sponsors college scholarships for students, teacher scholarships for professional development, community awareness programs and more. Health Fitness teachers were instrumental in encouraging students and families to participate and volunteered at the event.
SBISD schools contributed to the day’s festival-like atmosphere. A huge thank you to:
- Stratford High School marching band played at the starting line
- Northbrook High School marching band performed as runners and walkers crossed the finish line
- Memorial High School’s jazz ensemble played at the breakfast
- Spring Woods High School’s jazz ensemble performed at the art auction
- SBISD students donated art for the auction
Prizes for school participation:
- Memorial Middle School took the prize for Highest School Participation with 190 participants – a $500 gift certificate from Young Audiences and a $500 certificate from Academy Sports and Outdoors
- Northbrook Middle School won a drawing for a $500 certificate from Academy
- Memorial Drive Elementary School won a drawing for a $500 certificate from Young Audiences
Winners – Congratulations to the men and women who won the competitive race.
Overall winners received a $300 Memorial City Mall gift certificate and a Sun & Ski certificate for running shoes by Mizuno.
- Overall Male Winner: Sesar Figueroa, 15:12
- Overall Female Winner: Dawn Domanschek, 18:42
Winners in the Master (over 40) category received $200 Memorial City Mall gift certificates.
- Male: Gerado Mora, 17:38
- Female: Anna Helm, 20:47
 Community Supporters – Spring Branch Education Foundation extends its appreciation to members of the community who supported Running for the Arts and SBISD students.
Presenting Sponsors
- Memorial City Mall and MetroNational
Gold Medal Sponsor
Silver Medal Sponsors
- James and Mallory Shaddix
- Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, L.L.P.
Bronze Medal Sponsors
- Gary and Lydia Junek
- Apache Corporation
- Greenwood King
- Gulf Coast Recycling.
Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina provided breakfast for all participants and volunteers
Sun & Ski Sports provided gift certificates and handled registration and packet pick-up
Mizuno Shoes donated shoes
Memorial City Mall merchants provided prizes |
