FYS Class Hosts 'Color Me Free' Color Race
Zach Newcomer
This Sunday, Manchester University’s Honors Program hosts its “Color Me Free Run” to benefit the International Justice Mission (IJM). The run begins at 2 p.m. (check-in at 1 p.m.) outside the Physical Education and Recreation Center by the baseball field entrance.
Dr. Heather Schilling’s Honors Program first-year seminar class, “Lead Out Loud,” chose to donate the funds raised to IJM, the world’s largest antislavery organization. IJM focuses on human rights, laws and law enforcement. The money will provide rehabilitation centers, assist with legal fees for those involved and fund law enforcement agency raids.
Planning this event started in Schilling’s class as the students’ final assignment. “As a class, we split into groups to come up with ideas for the project,” said Alexa Callaway, event co-manager and first-year. “Ideas ranged from composts to safe houses, when a group presented on the International Justice System. This can make a global impact and this was a very serious project.” Callaway’s group emerged with the idea for a color race (a race where runners are doused with chalk paint), and the class felt the two ideas could be combined to make a successful event.
According to Callaway, all the planning for the color race was completed outside of classroom, since the FYS class ended last semester. The event is entirely student managed with Schilling’s assistance when needed; however, students are the predominant planners. First-year Rebekah Paul, a member of the group that suggested IJM as the charity, was named co-manager. “Anyone wanting to participate in the event can,” Callaway said. “My parents are coming to it from Michigan.” Registration can be completed online at https://link.manchester.edu/colormefree or participants can sign up before the color race outside the PERC. Students pay $12, while others will be charged $20. For those who cannot make it, checks can be made out to International Justice Mission and mailed to Manchester University box 269. Cash can be mailed to the same box.
While supplies last, runners will be supplied with all-white shirts with Color Me Free printed on the front to wear at the event. The event coordinators chose a white top in order to let the paint stand out on the runners. There are enough supplies for 100 people.
Fifteen students from the class manage and plan the event with volunteers. Those interested in volunteering should contact Annika Barce at ALBarce2019@manchester.spartans.edu.