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5K and Fun Run Kick Off Festivities for Hughes Memorial Groundbreaking
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.

Some 300 supporters took to the track of Lower Merion High School's Arnold Field and to roads in the surrounding neighborhood to raise money for a memorial to the school's late principal, Dr. Sean A. Hughes, on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Dr. Hughes was killed in a car crash three years ago this week.

It was the second year for the 5K race and Fun Run benefitting the Sean A. Hughes Memorial Fund. The event was followed by a groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial, which will create an outdoor learning amphitheater and garden on a slope between the high school and the District Administration Office building.

Legendary LaSalle basketball coach Fran Dunphy and Lower Merion alumnus Demetrius Lilley addressed the race participants at the starting line. Lilley recalled how Dr. Hughes mentored him throughout his years at Lower Merion, which mirrored the devotion he gave to all of his students.

After the race, organizers awarded prized to the top runners. Then, Kristi Hughes, the late principal's widow, kicked off the groundbreaking ceremony, which featured comments from current student Claire O'Connor, all of whose siblings had been students under Dr. Hughes, and from Acting Assistant to the Superintendent Scott Weinstein, who was principal of Harriton High School and a close colleague and friend of Dr. Hughes.

Artist Miguel Horn, LM art teacher Benjamin Walsh, and Tom Johnston from ThinkGreen landscape architects revealed new renderings of the Memorial Garden plans. Then members of the Hughes Family, including Mrs. Hughes and their three children, dug their shovels into the ground to ceremonially break ground for the project.

Additional funds are needed to bring the project to completion. Donations can be made via the Education Foundation of Lower Merion. And, sponsors and players are invited to take part in the Second Annual Sean A. Hughes Memorial Golf Outing, which will be held on May 19, 2024, at Green Valley Country Club.

To see photos from the Run and Groundbreaking, please click through the slide show below.

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A poster with a list of the run sponsors.
Student volunteers ready to hand out t-shirts to registered runners and walkers
Race organizers listen to speeches at the starting line
Runners await the start of the race
LaSalle Coach Fran Dunphy
Demetrius Lilley addresses runners at the start
Demetrium Lilley's back, wearing a HUUUUGHES t-shirt
Kristi Hughes and. her son listen to speeches at the start of the race
Runners await the start of the race
Kristi Hughes looks on as LM Alum and basketball player Demetrius Lilley addresses the crowd
Young runners await the start of the 5K
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K Runners set off through the starting gate.
5K walkers at the starting gate
Walkers set off through the starting gate for the Fun Run
Walkers set off through the starting gate for the Fun Run
Walkers set off through the starting gate for the Fun Run
Kristi Hughes being interviewed by a TV cameraman
Kristi Hughes with Coach Fran Dunphy, LM alum Demetrius Lilley and her son
Award plaques and gifts on a table with the letters %22HUUUUGHES%22 that used to be in the principal's office.
Kristi Hughes welcomes guests to the groundbreaking
Race organizers at the podium for the awards ceremony
Race winners hold their plaques
Winners hold their plaques, standing next to the race organizer
Race organizer pictured with one of the winners
Student Speaker Claire O'Connor addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking
Race participants seated on the hill where the memorial will be, watching the groundbreaking
Students seated on the hill where the memorial will be
The artist, landscape engineer and site team set up easels with the artist renderings of the site
A sample-sized panel of artist Miguel Horn's work for the memorial
The Hughes Family dig with ceremonial shovels for the groundbreaking
The Hughes Memorial Fund officers pose with the site posters
Kristi Hughes with the race organizers
Members of the site committee pose with posters of the plans
Kristi Hughes and her three children
A group photo of the Hughes Family and friends
An artist depiction of the memorial garden space on a poster.
An artist depiction of the memorial garden space on a poster.
An artist depiction of the memorial garden space on a poster.

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