LHJWL President Jacy Russell, State Rep. Jason Villalba and Run Chair Jessica Baker
Big crowds turned out for Saturday’s Run the Highlands hosted by Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League. The 12th annual 5K race and family trail walk drew nearly 1,000 participants – from serious competitors to stroller babies – with Lake Highlands High School students leading the crowd in the Star Spangled Banner and Lake Highlands Jazzercize warming up contestants before the race. A carnival, complete with bounce houses, balloon artists and pony rides, was waiting at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, the end of the route. Proceeds will be used to create “Growing Minds in Lake Highlands,” a defined early childhood and grade school area at the Audelia Road Library.
You can see my photos from the day here.
“It is so rewarding to see the entire Lake Highlands community come out to support this event year after year,” said Jessica Baker, chairman of the event for two years in a row. “We are thankful for the support of Dallas District 10 City Councilman Adam McGough, whose wife, Lacy, is a new member of LHJWL. We also welcomed the support of our State Representative for District 114, Jason Villalba.”
“Our Run the Highlands Carnival was the largest ever this year with over 40 sponsor booths,” added Baker. “We also added performances by the Forest Meadow Junior High cheerleaders, the LHHS Highlandettes and the Thurgood Marshall Elementary cheer group and offered demonstrations by rec center staff on programs offered there.
“I am so thankful for the support of our sponsors because we couldn’t do this without them. I want to thank all of our member volunteers and the amazing LHJWL Run the Highlands committee who dedicated countless hours away from their families, careers and friends to ensure our event was successful.”
“I feel proud to see all of the exciting new additions that we’ve incorporated over the past few years as the event continues to grow in size,” said Jessica, one of LHJWL’s many members who graduated from LHHS and returned to the neighborhood. “It is truly rewarding to know that we are able to give back to the LH community where I grew up.”
Billy and Sarah Dorsey with two of their children
LHJH cheerleaders warm up with Jazzercise before the race
The race begins
