In Memory of a Glen Cove High Alumnus

More than 100 runners will lace up their sneakers Sunday to participate in the second annual Andreas Christopoulos Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk. The event is set to kick off at Glen Cove High School at 9 a.m. 

The proceeds will benefit the Andreas Christopoulos Memorial Scholarship, a fund that was established in 2005 after Andreas, a 2001 graduate of the high school, was tragically killed in a car accident.

"We started the scholarship fund immediately," his mother Zefy Christopoulos said. "We wanted donations in lieu of flowers and we wanted something sustainable."

Since then, nine $1,500 scholarships have been given to students who emulate Andreas's spirit. Zefy described her son as a free-spirited and kind person who was proud of his heritage. 

"The scholarship doesn't necessarily go to honor students," Zefy explained. "It goes to kids like mine who picked themselves up from their bootstraps and made it. It goes to kids who are proud of their heritage and who have faith and an independent spirit. Andreas believed that the only things you regret in life are the risks you don't take."

The run is the brainchild of Liz Brasiello whose son, Dominick, is a member of Big Red's track team. It begins at the high school, runs through the surrounding neighborhood and ends at the high school. Last year, the race featured more than 250 participants and organizers were able to raise $16,000. 

"The usual way of raising money for scholarships are dinner dances, auctions and raffles," Zefy said. "Liz wanted to do something in an unusual way."

"I thought this was a nice way to get everybody in the community together," Brasiello added.

This year, there was a tree donated to the high school in Andreas's name by the Testa family. After the race, a plaque will also be dedicated in his name and placed beside the tree.

And members of the Glen Cove school community say they will continue to support the event to show their appreciation to the Christopoulos family.

"I think the run/walk is a great show of community for a family that's done so much for Glen Cove," said Keith Schenker, the high school's principal.

Race Information

The run/walk is sanctioned by the U.S. Track and Field Association as well as the Greater Long Island Running Club. Race management will be conducted by Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Awards will be given in a number of categories and T-shirts will be given to the first 225 pre-registrants.

Registration is $20 in advance and $25 on Sunday. To register, go to active.com and enter Andreas Christopoulos in the search bar. Registration as well as number and timing tag pickup will be held on Sunday in the high school cafeteria from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.