Episcopal Hosts "Just Tryan It" Kids Triathlon

"I have never seen a more helpful and enthusiastic volunteer base than we witnessed at Episcopal High School.” - Just Tryan It Chairman Emeritus Tim Moore
On a gorgeous Sunday morning in September, over 170 gutsy kids ranging in ages from 6 to 14 ran a triathlon on the Holy Hill for a great cause. Supporting JUST TRYAN IT as volunteers and cheering the racers on were more than 100 Episcopal High School students and faculty members, including two who were especially honored by the Just Tryan It team for going above and beyond in their efforts.

Among the kid racers were nine “Episcopal kids,” children of faculty who helped raise $3,501 of the $45,104 generated by the event to be recognized as the top fundraising team. When the Rev. Betsy Gonzalez called the kids forward at Monday evening’s seated meal to share their outstanding results, the student body rewarded them with a hearty round of applause.

Sophomore Gilbert Amason was honored with the Ken Caputo Volunteer Service Award by the organization, with Belle Dixon '18 earning an honorable mention for her role.

Carrie Norry, Just Tryan It Executive Director, said Amason’s name came up over and over in comments from committee members. She wrote, “Gilbert, your smile, winning attitude, and energy set the tone for the day.”

Added the organization’s Chairman Emeritus Tim Moore in a note to Amason, “Your award carries a little more weight because of how helpful everyone was at the race! JUST TRYAN IT has now held 12 kids triathlons with 4,000+ racers and nearly 2,000 volunteers, and I have never seen a more helpful and enthusiastic volunteer base than we witnessed at Episcopal High School.”

Dixon’s honorable mention came for, among other things, her quick thinking in a tough moment. “Your efforts were noticed as you helped a young racer go on with his race when his pedal came off his bike,” Norry wrote. “He reported upon reaching transition that a volunteer told him to run on and that she was bringing his bike to transition. Not a couple minutes later did we see you carrying his bike along the course. Your quick thinking and supportive spirit helped him finish. Thank you for taking charge of the situation and acting in the interest of the child.”

A junior and member of the Service Council, Morin Tinubu was assigned to help with tying shoes in the transition out of the water and then afterward to the "party zone" area where the kids got to play after completing the race. She was particularly impressed with the clear looks of determination on the faces of the competitors, and how quickly that determination switched to glee once they were done and in the party zone.

"I think the most surprising aspect of the whole event was how much money the children were able to fundraise and how resilient they all were," Tinubu said. "I was also pleasantly surprised to see that so many people from our school came out to give their support and contribute to the cause. It really reminded me of how strong our school community is when we come together and work hard."

As usual, the pictures from the event tell the best stories, so enjoy the photo gallery posted by Just Tryan It to see our generous and kind-hearted EHS students in action!

The EHS children who raced were:
  • Marshall Ebel
  • Elizabeth Pohjola
  • Mary Blue Pohjola
  • Meredith Pugh
  • Bruce Thompson
  • Renny Thompson
  • Zoe Williams
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