Cleburne High School’s STinG Week charity fundraising event, now in its fourth year, will kick off March 6 with a 5K/Fun Run in memory of a community leader who was passionate about helping others.

            The 1^st Annual Cathy Marchel STinG Run will be staged at Cleburne High School, beginning with the one-mile Fun Run at 6 p.m. followed by the 5K at 6:30. Entry fee for the Fun Run is $15; $25 for the 5K. A 5K Bundle is also available for teams of five runners at a cost of $110. There is no fee for children ages four and under.

The race registration form and information is posted here. A new race route has been announced, with the route wrapping around the campuses of CHS and Wheat Middle School, beginning and ending at the high school. Participants are encouraged to wear glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces and/or reflective clothing as it is an evening event. 

Established in the spring of 2017, Students Together in Giving has raised more than $60,000 in assisting CHS and CISD students with medical expenses relating to serious health conditions. This year’s STinG Week recipient is sophomore Chris Diaz, who was diagnosed last spring with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Diaz has been a very active student at CHS, as a member of the Golden Pride Band and a competitor in cross country and track.

“Chris will be receiving chemotherapy treatments for the next two years,” CHS Student Council Sponsor Terrie Walker said. “He has a long road ahead of him. His hope and courage for life has inspired and touched all of us. The donations and funds raised through STinG Week will help him and his family.”

“He has been on homebound for most of the year, but has recently been able to attend classes here at school,” Walker said. “We are thrilled with that and are hoping Chris can attend some of the activities we have scheduled, including our STinG Week opening and closing ceremonies.”

STinG Week efforts include all campuses as the entire CISD student body is engaged in the act of giving on behalf of others.

“We will give our kids the opportunity to follow the dress up days the high school Student Council has put together,” Gerard Elementary Principal Tracy White said. “This year’s theme is based on Pixar movies, so they will have fun with that.”

“Our Student Council officers work with the CHS student leaders,” White said. “They talk about activities and what our kids can do to support STinG Week. We have been one of the top schools in raising funds and we are very proud of that. Caring for others is a part of our school-wide and district-wide cultures which have been even more enhanced through our participation in Capturing Kids’ Hearts. Our students genuinely affirm and support each other. As participants in STinG Week our students have shown their support for kids who have been diagnosed with critical illnesses. It means a lot to them that they have helped with that.”

Student Council and leadership students at CHS are currently reaching out to the community to bring in additional engagement in the STinG Week initiative. Various levels of sponsorship for the Cathy Marchel STinG Run including water station, mile marker and awards sponsors are being sought in addition to contributions to the fundraising effort.

Pinnacle Bank has been a STinG Week contributor from the beginning. Branch President Amber Witte enjoys seeing students doing for others.

“We get excited about STinG Week every year,” Witte said. “Pinnacle Bank has a belief that we should all give back and support our communities. STinG Week is an amazing opportunity for the next generation to learn the joy of doing for others and Pinnacle is proud to be a part of it.”

Members of the CHS Class of 2020 have experienced STinG Week every year since its introduction in 2017. Walker hopes their senior memories will include seeing the initiative pass the $100,000 mark in total funds raised.

“Cleburne High School had already shown the ability and established a tradition in giving to others before STinG Week came along,” Walker said. “This initiative has elevated student involvement in the community and giving back. It’s now become something our students look forward to. Last year, when we involved Brody in STinG Week, it really hit home the importance of giving back and being up close with individuals who fight through and fight hard every day. We are so grateful to the Nelson family—and all the families—of our STinG Week beneficiaries in allowing us to do this.”

“In our first year and seeing our first beneficiary, who had suffered extensive spinal damage due to cancerous tumors, receive a standing ovation from his classmates when he crossed the stage at graduation, I knew then STinG Week was making a difference,” Walker said. “It has changed our kids and turned them into leaders. Through this we are empowering them with leadership skills and a passion for benevolence as they take ownership of a major project and are engaged in budgeting, fundraising and marketing.”

To assist with the STinG Week project, contact Walker at twalker2@c-isd.com or call 817-202-1200.