Hogansville hosts 5K race to benefit after school program, Pioneer Youth

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

HOGANSVILLE—The first annual Run HGVL 5K Saturday brought in nearly 100 runners and dozens more supporters to benefit the Pioneer Youth afterschool program in Hogansville.

Pioneer Youth, a youth drop-in center, launched in January and acts as one of the few afterschool programs in the area offered to Hoganville’s school children, explained Emilee Abraham, the program’s director. Activities include learning games and movie days as well as general mentorship between its volunteers, parents and participants. Future endeavors include a tutoring program, which Abraham hopes to launch next fall, she said.

“We wanted it to be a physical, safe place for kids to come after school and hang out and gain a solid relationship with good adults who can mentor them,” she said. 

Over $7,000 dollars was raised for Pioneer Youth, Abraham said. The funds raised from the race will go toward the daily operations of Pioneer Youth, Abraham said. Pioneer Youth currently has no registration or fees.

The race started at the Train Depot and went through the historic Mill Village, approximately three miles.

Timothy Busuulwa, a LaGrange resident who attends church in Hogansville, came in first for the 5K race in the men’s category with a time of 19:53. Patrick Calcutt, LaGrange High School’s new track coach, came in second and Joshua Zapata, 16, came in third.

Mary Catharine Blank, Calcutt’s daughter, finished first of the female participants with a time of 26:04. Participants Mara Morgan and Callie Karvelas came in second and third.

Other placers included Michael Morgan for males 14 and under and Gabriel Karvelas for females 14 and under; Nathan Karvelas for males 15-19; Caleb Stanley for males 20-29 and Macarena Di Salvatore for females 20-29; Chane Karvelas for males 30-39 and Callie Karvelas for female 30-39; Jimmy Karvelas for males 40-49 and Katie Morgan for female 40-49; Jay Hanlon for males 50-59 and Kathleen Calcutt for females 50-59; Jerry Parkerson for men 60 and over and Rebecca Parkerson for 60 and over.

Auto Gallery Chevrolet Buick GMC, Inc. and Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation were top sponsors for the event, Abraham said.

To learn more about Pioneer Youth, visit https://www.pioneeryouth.org/pioneer-youth.