Copperas Cove FFA holds 2nd annual Color Run

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

Firefighters doused participants in a light stream of water as they began Saturday’s 2nd annual FFA Color Run. 
Copperas Cove’s Future Farmers of America, or FFA, hosted their 2nd annual Color Run 5k at South Park on Saturday. Registration was $12 and half of the money was donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. More than 40 people participated in this year’s race, 30 of which were students. Student volunteers were placed throughout the course at South Park to douse the runners in bursts of colorful powder.
“A lot of people showed up,” said Tori Schwausch, CCHS’s FFA president. “I was really happy with the way it turned out.”
The event was organized by CCHS FFA officers Abbie Wardlow, Caden Chapman, and Sofia Pfirrmann. 
Caden Chapman (15) said that part of the reason for the event was to help their FFA become a star chapter and so that they could come together with the community.
Stephanie Hedrick, FFA advisor who teaches Animal Science classes at CCHS, said the project helped the students to bond and encouraged teamwork. The students created the colorful powder in her classes over the course of two days.
“We do a lot of community service events, but this one is more hands on,” said Hedrick. “It’s doing really well…It’s a lot more fun this year.”
Hedrick added that this year, the students did a much better job of planning and advertising which is why they were able to have a much larger turnout this year.
Not only did many FFA students participate in Saturday’s race, several other students came out to support their friends by either running or volunteering to throw powder at the racers.
“It’s really fun,” said Abbie Wardlow (17). “You just have to make sure you don’t hit anyone in the face.”
Nilaja Whitaker ran the event alongside her daughters, Kali and Makena Whitaker. She said that her daughter, Kali, runs cross-country, so they wanted to make running a family event. Whitaker said the family plans to run at least one 5k together per month. Whitaker’s husband is a veteran which is why they chose to run in Saturday’s Veterans’ Day race.
Kali Whitaker said it made her happy to be able to run alongside her family.
Some of the runners ran for fun, some for the cause, and others to support their fellow students. Regardless of why they participated, all of them were donating to a good cause.
“I like to run…It was perfect weather for running,” said Adam Wolf who finished the race in 1st place. “It’s nice to be able to do something I love and support a really great organization.”