Participants in Saturday’s fifth annual Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education wore ribbons in memory of not only one UNC student — but four.
Race volunteers and participants commemorated three UNC students who have died this semester, along with the race’s namesake, Eve Carson. Carson, a former student body president, was murdered in March 2008.
More than 1,500 registered participants shared a moment of silence at the beginning of the event for Carson, Faith Hedgepeth, Trevor Dolan and David Shannon.
The race raised more than $52,000 — a considerable increase from the $30,000 raised in 2011. The money will go to the Eve Carson Memorial Scholarship and two education nonprofits, First Book and CEO 4 Teens.
Waverly Lynch, vice president of philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi sorority, said donations were still being received after the race ended.
Paige Sferrazza, director of the UNC branch of CEO 4 Teens, helped recruit runners and promote the race.
“CEO 4 Teens is all about promoting education — helping kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to realize their full potential just because of their lack of resources,” Sferrazza said. “It’s helping them get the education they deserve, especially because they want it.”
Speakers at the event included Chancellor Holden Thorp, former Chancellor James Moeser, Student Body President Will Leimenstoll, two Eve Carson Scholarship recipients and Eve’s brother, Andrew Carson.
The cubes on Polk Place were painted for the race, and attendees were encouraged to write memories of the students who have died this year.