Students participate in walk for MS
Posted on April 06, 2009 by Suzanne Ramsey
Twelve Sweet Briar students — dubbed Team Sweet Feet — participated March 29 in Charlottesville’s 2009 MS Walk. The event was hosted by the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
One of the students, Kelsey Smith ’11, has a personal connection to the cause. She has participated in MS events around Virginia since her dad was diagnosed with the disease nine years ago.
“MS has truly affected my family and I want to do as much as I can to help find a cure for this disease,” Smith, a resident of Gainesville, Va., wrote in an e-mail. “Last year, my roommate participated in the walk with me and this year I really wanted to get at least 4 people to form a team. I ended up getting 11 other girls willing to help, which was amazing.
“Many of the girls did it for the experience and to help out because they knew it was something that meant a lot to me.”
In addition to Smith, those who walked included Emily Boggs ’11, Emily Davies ’11, Maryanne Grey ’12, Alex Grobman ’12, Catherine Gumpman ’10, Sarah Hall ’09, Lauren Haser ’11, Hayley Hill ’10, Danelle Houck ’11, Kelly Kincaid ’11 and Melissa Simpson ’11.
Most of the participants were members of Sweet Briar’s swim team and their goal was to raise $500 in donations. In the end, the team raised $760 with some students collecting more than $100 each. Grobman was SBC’s top fundraiser at $255.
“The walk was an absolutely amazing experience and I enjoyed participating in it,” Smith said. “This year meant even more to me having my friends walk with me and help raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
“The team far exceeded my expectations in participation and in fundraising. I cannot wait to walk again next year, hopefully gaining new teammates and raising more money.”
One of the students, Kelsey Smith ’11, has a personal connection to the cause. She has participated in MS events around Virginia since her dad was diagnosed with the disease nine years ago.
“MS has truly affected my family and I want to do as much as I can to help find a cure for this disease,” Smith, a resident of Gainesville, Va., wrote in an e-mail. “Last year, my roommate participated in the walk with me and this year I really wanted to get at least 4 people to form a team. I ended up getting 11 other girls willing to help, which was amazing.
“Many of the girls did it for the experience and to help out because they knew it was something that meant a lot to me.”
In addition to Smith, those who walked included Emily Boggs ’11, Emily Davies ’11, Maryanne Grey ’12, Alex Grobman ’12, Catherine Gumpman ’10, Sarah Hall ’09, Lauren Haser ’11, Hayley Hill ’10, Danelle Houck ’11, Kelly Kincaid ’11 and Melissa Simpson ’11.
Most of the participants were members of Sweet Briar’s swim team and their goal was to raise $500 in donations. In the end, the team raised $760 with some students collecting more than $100 each. Grobman was SBC’s top fundraiser at $255.
“The walk was an absolutely amazing experience and I enjoyed participating in it,” Smith said. “This year meant even more to me having my friends walk with me and help raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
“The team far exceeded my expectations in participation and in fundraising. I cannot wait to walk again next year, hopefully gaining new teammates and raising more money.”
