“Why I Run” by 2020 Amy Schuerholz Metz & CCR Scholarship Recipient Luke Bonfiglio

Running has been a big part of my life since my first year of cross country in seventh grade. It  started out as just a twice-weekly thing with my friends in the fall, with a little summer running,  and in high school it grew to six days a week in the fall and much more off-season running. Since then, it’s been my favorite way to exercise, and one of my favorite ways to relieve stress.  

I went to high school at St. Mary’s in Annapolis, and because of our location, we were able to  run all around Annapolis during our practices. The Naval Academy campus and the Naval  Academy Golf Course were a couple of my favorite routes. Running to and around all these  places allowed me to really get a sense of Annapolis, its community, and its beauty, not to  mention a chance to finally figure out where everything is.  

When I run alone, I almost always run around Bay Ridge along the Chesapeake Bay, and I absolutely love the breathtaking view, as well as the many friendly faces I see out walking or  running. Running, in addition to being my favorite way to stay in shape, has really shown me how to appreciate my hometown of Annapolis and its beauty, and the beauty of those who live there.  

Running also led me to my favorite volunteering organization, Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA).  I was looking for a way to volunteer while using my strengths and doing something I love, and a  family friend told us about ASA. So I joined the organization, for which I am part of a team that pushes athletes in running strollers during mainstream running events—like 5K’s and 10K’s. It is a fantastic organization, and the Athletes love competing in races they otherwise wouldn’t be  able to. I truly love serving with ASA, and it makes me feel like I’m really making a difference.  

Currently, I’m a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, studying finance. The scholarship  has been a great help: it easily paid for all of my textbooks this year, and the rest went towards  my tuition. And here at Notre Dame, I continue to run multiple times a week around the amazing lakes we have on campus. Doing this has been especially important this year, since COVID has  made it very difficult to reserve gym times and work out in other ways. I’ve also worn my  Saucony Guides I got with the scholarship on every run since I received them. I got them at the  perfect time, when my old shoes were on their last legs.