One last run for Bradley Smith

By Devese Ursery

This coming weekend will kick off the 13th annual Bradley R. Smith Memorial Scholarship 5k Run/Walk event.

The race will take place at Tri-Township Park on Saturday, September 10, with race day registration starting at 7 a.m and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at Pavilion 10.

Participants can participate virtually if desired. For an additional $8, a race packet and shirt will be shipped directly to the address provided. To participate virtually please select virtual packet after selecting shirt size during online registration process

The annual 5k run will be the last and final run in Smith’s name, but hopefully the scholarship will continue for years to come through continued private fundraising events, and through business and individual donations declared Gary and Paula Smith, parents of Bradley, in a statement posted on the Scholarship DevFund’s website.

“Our community has worked tirelessly for the past 13 years beginning in June of each year and concluding in September. We feel that being able to spend this time with family and friends is more beneficial at this point in our lives. And lastly, we are not getting any younger. Although we are in blessed with good health, we just don’t move like we used to,” said Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Bradley R. Smith Scholarship Memorial Fund has provided over $350,000 in scholarships to local high school students for the last 12 years. They hope to reach their goal of $400,000, in total scholarships with a successful final event this year. The fund is a foundation honoring the memory of SRA Bradley R. Smith, hometown son of Troy, established scholarships for local students.

Bradley R. Smith Scholarship Fund has provided over $350,000 in scholarships to local high school students for the last 12 years . They hope to reach their goal of $400,000 in total scholarships with a successful final event this  year.

Bradley R. Smith was born on September 11, 1985. He grew up in Troy and attended the Triad School District. Brad was involved in many activities and he enjoyed playing football in high school. Brad graduated from Triad High School in 2004, and enrolled at SIUE, for a short moment. After college, he joined the Air Force where he served as a Joint Terminal Attack controller (JTAC) in Special Operations. Senior Airman Bradley R. Smith was killed in action in Afghanistan on January 3, 2010. The scholarship honors the memory of Bradley and his love of Troy, the surrounding communities, and his desire to finish his education.

Here’s a list of the 2022 recipients of the Bradley R. Smith Memorial Scholarship:

Josie Giertz – Alton High School

Lydia Fluss – Collinsville High School

Charlize Luehman – Father McGivney

Abby Jo Athmer – Highland High School

Ainsley Bauer – Maryville Christian High School

MacKenzie McCulloch –  Maryville Christian High School

Kaleigh R. Dunabee – O’Fallon High School

Alyssa Zimmerman – Bethel Baptist Youth

Grant Boeren – Bethel Baptist Youth

Brayden Tonn – Triad High School

Makenna Sprankle – Triad High School

Holly Sury – Triad High School

Camryn Rosener – Triad High School

Ella Watson – Triad High School

Danielle Carey – Triad High School

Kathryn Weber – Triad High School

Sophia Miller – Troy VFW

Ian Olson – Troy VFW

Mason Rodriguez – Troy VFW

Kaylin Edwards – Troy VFW