PRESS RELEASE Thomas M. Cooley Law School Race for Education

June 8, 2001

Lansing, Michigan -- The Capital Area Academy is the big winner in a drawing held in conjunction with the second annual Cooley Law School 5K Race For Education.

The race, held on the evening of Friday, June 1, attracted nearly 300 runners and walkers. Each participant was instructed to designate an educational institution to receive a monetary award if that person's name was chosen in a drawing following the race.

"The unique thing about this race," noted Terry Franklin, Director of Communications at Cooley and organizer of the event, "is that we don't decide where the money goes. Instead we let the race participants designate the educational institution or organization of their choice, with winners picked in a random drawing."

The academy, a second-year charter school in Lansing, will receive a check for $2,039.50. The school was nominated for the award by Keith Harrison of Mason. Harrison's name was picked in the post-race drawing as the 50 percent winner.

Lynne Porter, principal of Capital Area Academy, was ecstatic. "That is so wonderful!" she said when notified of the award. "As a second-year, start-up school, any extra money is extremely helpful."

Porter said the award would go directly to students, most likely to help fund incentive programs.

The academy is currently a K-7 school, but is adding an eighth grade next year. Porter noted that the school day is an hour longer, and the school year 18 days longer, than non-charter public schools.

The Okemos High School Athletic Department was the designated nominee for Douglas Mulvaney of Okemos, whose name was drawn as the 25 percent proceeds winner.

The OHS Athletic Department will receive a check for $1,019.75.

Two names were drawn for 10 percent winners.Haslett High School was one of those nominees when Liz Holowasko of East Lansing had her name drawn. Haslett High School, which was a winner in the race's first year as well, will get a check for $407.90.

Haslett High School Principal Mike Duda was excited. "That's outstanding," he said. Duda needed to check on how the money would be used. Last year, when special education teacher Victoria Piechotte won the award, the money was used for programs for her studen s.

The second 10 percent winner, Lansing Catholic Central, will also get a check for $407.90. Lansing Catholic was the nominee of Rosemary Coscarelli of Lansing.

Lansing Catholic Principal Jim Olin was surprised and pleased by the award. "We really appreciate it. This is wonderful. We'll probably take a gift like this and put it into technology upgrades for the high school." Lansing Catholic is working on a third computer lab and is trying to make the 36-year-old building that houses the high school technology friendly.

Cooley Law School itself was winner of the 5 percent drawing, nominated by alumus Richard Hayhoe (Wiest Class, 1979). Cooley will receive a check for $203.95.

Winner of the Cooley Award, a designated amount donated by the school, was Heather Cannon of Lansing. Cannon's award, $500, will go to the Lansing Public School District.

Due to a re-routing of the event to avoid I-496 construction, the actual course length was 2.95 miles. Winners of the race were:

Ryan Kelly of Haslett, overall male winner with a time of 15:01.3; Roland Hensley of DeWitt, overall male masters winner with a time of 15:26.4; Nikki Norris-Smith, overall female winner with a time of 17:22.9; and Valerie LaReau, overall female masters winner with a time of 22:00.1. The event also featured two children's races, the Uptown Band, face painting, a food array, a chiropractic diagnostic booth, and more. Pictures from the event can be found by clicking here.