LVRR: What college will you attend and what is your intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
AC: I plan to attend the University of Vermont with a major in Environmental Engineering. I plan to run on a personal and social basis while at school.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
AC: I started competitvely running in seventh grade and continued with track into my ninth grade year. I started running to feel free and of course to get in shape!
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
AC: If I had to name my greatest accomplishment with running, it would be when I came in 4th place at a home meet for the mile. When comparing this to the other scholarship winners, this doesn’t count for much. Mostly due to the lack of my participation in competitive running since my freshman year. The scholarship that I was awarded was based on my volunteering through LVRR, mainly the Women’s 5k Classic. I have been volunteering at the W5K for longer than I have been alive. Through the years, my duties as a youthful volunteer increased steadily. I, along with my friend Kyle, would take up tasks such as setting up and taking down the expo, recruit new young volunteers and set up the course that thousands of runners/walkers would compete on.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
AC: I experienced a sink or swim opportunity nearing the end of my soccer season junior year. After the previous starting goal keep was injured, I had to step up and lead the team from the goal posts. Instead of sinking, I swam! This led me to help my teammates make it to states.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
AC: Through my years I have had many influential people who inspired me to be the person I am today. If I had to name my most influential role model, it would be my boss, Matt Kriner. Matt started out working for a craftsman in high school but had to leave this when he went to college for Architecture. After his five-year degree, he started as an Architect’s assistant, but realize that it was not his true calling. He when went back to his roots with woodworking. Matt founded Rustik Rehab in 2014 to bring custom rustic furniture and décor into people’s homes and stores. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to work under Matt for two years now. He has shown me what you can do if you make your passions reality and where hard work can get you.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
AC: Some people would be surprised to learn that I am a very avid carpenter. I work for a local carpenter in Emmaus by the name of Rustik Rehab, where we transform reclaimed wood into custom furniture pieces and decor. Along with this, I brought my woodworking home with me. I create custom wooden spoons, spatulas and various other utensils, wooden decor and decorative planting boxes.
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
AC: I would tell them that they have just started a skill that will be extremely useful to them later in life. Running lets you be free, relieve strees, make friends and even keeps you in shape. Even though it may seem hard, it will most definitely benefit you in the end.
LVRR: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
AC: To be honest, I don’t even know where I see myself in 10 years. There’s a whole bundle of paths that I could start heading down once I leave for college. What I do know is that I will continue to support my community no matter where I am and will continue to come back home to support LVRR and the Women’s 5k Classic.
LVRR: Is anyone else in your family a runner?
AC: Yes my mother is a very avid runner. She has been a LVRR member for around 30 years. Through this she volunteers and participants in a wide range of races within the Lehigh Valley.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
AC: I enjoy watching the 100m sprint because it shows the maximum speed that a runner can go.
LVRR: What are the top three “little things” that you do to prevent injury?
AC: Three little things that I do to prevent injury are, yoga after a workout, always a pre jog and listen to your body.
LVRR: What are three activities you enjoy doing apart from running?
AC: I enjoy skiing, mountain biking and woodworking.
LVRR: What are three words that describe how you feel when you’re out running?
AC: Free, clear minded and tired
