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Lindsey Shaw
Staff Writer
Nearly 250 Jackson State University students, staff, faculty and community supporters, braved the early morning 40 degree weather to participate in the 6th Annual Latasha Norman Memorial Run/Walk.
The walk is held to commemorate former JSU student, Latasha Norman, who lost her life to domestic violence in 2007 and to bring awareness to the fight to end domestic violence.
Chanel Wilkerson, a sophomore criminal justice major from Detroit, Mich. said, “I came out this morning to support the Latasha Norman cause because I am a woman and I won’t tolerate domestic violence.”
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
Danny Bolden, Norman’s father, thanked those in attendance for their participation.
“Thanks for coming out and continuing the legacy. It’s been six years but we are still here and domestic violence is still here. We have to speak out and we have to educate our young people on the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship,” said Bolden.
Latasha Norman was a junior accounting major from Greenville, Miss. at the time of her death. Her life tragically ended in 2007 when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Stanley Cole. JSU has since dedicated its counseling center in her name and held an annual run/walk to celebrate her life and promote awareness of the seriousness of domestic violence.
Paul McInnis, a speech communications/theatre major from Hattiesburg Miss. and run/walk participant said, “Being a part of a fraternity, it is almost a necessity to partake in activities like this to serve the community. It’s not only an opportunity to showcase your organization and show that your organization supports the cause but it’s showing how much you care about the cause of domestic violence. Domestic violence is unnecessary stupidity.”
Joseph Thomas, a freshman from New Orleans, La. said, “I did the 5K to support domestic violence awareness. My church is the host of the domestic violence conference in Jackson and we all volunteered as a team to participate in the walk. To me, domestic violence is any abuse between anybody or any disturbance that causes mental, physical or emotional harm. I feel that it is wrong and I’m against domestic violence.”
The winners of the run/walk are below:
Overall Male Runner – Samuel Rhoads
Overall Male Walker – Marcus Morgan
Overall Female Runner – Jasmin Searcy (Miss JSU 2008)
Overall Female Walker – Lisette Riley
Overall Runners – Team
1st Place – JSU Mens Cross Country
2nd Place – Mt. Zion Baptist Church
3rd Place – The Blue & White Flash
Overall Walkers – Team
1st Place – National Pan Hellenic Council
2nd Place – JSU Accounting Society
3rd Place — Graduate Psychology Group
