Dash 4 Cash: A Race for all Ages

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Dash 4 Cash Student Co-Chairs Meredith Green and Olivia Lower and Underwriting Co-Chairs Hollan Borowitz and Emma McMillen wear the new T-shirts which are being used to promote this year’s Dash 4 Cash Scholarship Run.

Dash 4 Cash Student Co-Chairs Meredith Green and Olivia Lower and Underwriting Co-Chairs Hollan Borowitz and Emma McMillen wear the new T-shirts which are being used to promote this year’s Dash 4 Cash Scholarship Run.

The sixth annual Texas High School Volunteers in Public Schools Dash 4 Cash Scholarship Run is Saturday, November 9, at the Texas High School Track. A 5K race for all ages, this event raises money to be awarded to several deserving Texas High School graduates in the form of college scholarships. Dash 4 Cash co-chairs, Lacy McMillen and Kim Langdon, report that over the last five years this event has raised $100,000 in scholarship money donated through generous local sponsors and through faithful race participants.

In 2018, $7,700 was granted as dual credit scholarships to students needing financial assistance in order to pursue a higher level of education. The dual credit scholarships granted by Texarkana College and the University of Arkansas Hope- Texarkana allow those students to complete college courses while still at Texas High School. Bettie Lynn Stark, Texas High School Associate Principal for College and Career Readiness, reports that currently 34% of adults in the State of Texas have a bachelor’s degree. Mrs. Stark explains that it is a different job environment out there now and, that by the year 2030, 60% of jobs will require a college degree. She states, “The Dash 4 Cash scholarships open the door to college access for Texas High graduates which gets them job ready for their future.” She also sees the dual credit scholarships encourage the students to continue their education at the college level.

A rainy forecast didn’t stop Ben DePriest, Trey Lavender, John Thomas Borowitz and Owen Likins from taking part in last year’s Dash 4 Cash.

A rainy forecast didn’t stop Ben DePriest, Trey Lavender, John Thomas Borowitz and Owen Likins from taking part in last year’s Dash 4 Cash.

Last year, 15 graduating seniors were awarded $1,000 each in scholarships which were paid directly to the school of their choice assisting with tuition and book costs. The applicants were evaluated on the following criteria: volunteerism/community service, character, academics and leadership. The mission of the TISD VIPS is “to encourage the involvement of community volunteers,” and TISD strives to teach their students the importance of volunteering and giving back to the Texarkana community. The students that turned in applications for this scholarship in 2018 had volunteered approximately 20,000 hours both on campus and in the community. Of that group, the 15 scholarship recipients had each logged 1,000+ volunteer hours.

Texas High Cheerleaders Kenzie Adkins, Madison Givens, Adrienne Armstrong and Brandee Jordan are definitely a part of the success of Dash 4 Cash.

Texas High Cheerleaders Kenzie Adkins, Madison Givens, Adrienne Armstrong and Brandee Jordan are definitely a part of the success of Dash 4 Cash.

The 2019 student co-chairs are seniors Meredith Green and Olivia Lower, and the 2019 underwriting co-chairs are Emma McMillen and Hollan Borowitz. Texas High School students are a huge part of the success of Dash 4 Cash. They are the promoters, the volunteers and the race participants.

Online registration can be easily done on the Dash 4 Cash race website: www. runsignup.com/Race/TX/Texarkana/Dash4Cash. The 5K run/walk registration for 20 years old and up is $25. New this year to encourage younger race enthusiasts to enter is a student category for ages 19 and below for $15, and if you are unable to be there on race day, there is a “Too Tired to Trot” registration option for $20. Online donations to support this worthwhile cause can be made as well.