Wolverine Open 5K

North Stafford High School Cross Country is hosting the 2nd Annual Wolverine Open 5K race. This race kicks off the SlyeStrong#6 XC Invitational, so stick around to watch some great racing amongst the high schoolers!

To give some background on the SlyeStrong#6 Foundation, Andrew John "AJ" Slye was a 2012 graduate of North Stafford High School. A favorite amongst his classmates and teachers, AJ was a great student and a tenacious athlete on the baseball diamond and football field. He was a young man with strong character, piercing blue eyes, and an infectious smile. Upon returning home from his first semester at Salisbury University, AJ was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a form of blood cell cancer. His fight to beat cancer began at the University of Virginia Hospital, transitioned to Johns Hopkins Hospital and unfortunately ended on February 27, 2014 at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Over 14 months, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant reduced AJ's body from a strong, fit football player to a thin, battle-weary shell of a young man. But the cancer did not touch this warrior's heart which steadily grew stronger. Through every setback he faced, his trust and faith in God became deeper, and his resolve became ever-increasing. His spirit and that infectious smile incredibly united and inspired an entire community.

The SlyeStrong#6 Foundation has been established in loving memory and honor of Andrew "AJ" Slye who is a testament to us all regarding how to endure and enlighten in the face of hardship. 

Their mission is to serve as a catalyst to find a cure for cancer, to give back to the communities who came together whole-heartedly in spirit, love, and hope to strengthen the fight for life, and to be a platform for all who have lost loved ones to cancer. 

Their purpose is to bring alive the fight to find a cure for adult/childhood cancer, to raise community awareness, and to respond to the community in times of need. 

Their goals are to: 

1. Provide academic scholarships to graduating seniors in each of the five (5) Stafford County Public Schools and at least one (1) scholarship to a graduating senior from Stafford County Public Schools, Spotsylvania County Public Schools or Fredericksburg City Public Schools who has been immediately impacted by cancer. 

2. Meet immediate community needs to alleviate hardship and promote a positive outlook.

3. Raise money in support of medical research. 

4. Promote awareness of cancer and opportunities to help. 

5. Provide comfort to those living with cancer 

Their vision is to honor and remember AJ by supporting the fight to cure cancer through heightened community outreach, God's strength, and pure perseverance.