In memory of West Elementary School’s former guidance counselor, Patricia “Patsy” Barrington, the Athens Bulldogs Cross Country Club is sponsoring a 5k fun run/walk Saturday.
Remembered for her kindness and compassion for students and faculty, the 5k will lead in to a memorial service for Barrington, who died Dec. 11 from colon cancer at the age of 56, at the Dairy Barn Arts Center at 2 p.m.
Barrington’s two daughters, various friends, family and faculty of West Elementary will be in attendance, including 2nd grade teacher Shannon Schloss and special education teacher Jan Allen.
“Patsy could light up a room with her laugh and her smile,” Schloss said. “Anytime you felt down in the dumps, you could always depend on Patsy to make you feel better.”
Barrington spent much of her life at West Elementary, teaching kindergarten in the exact same classroom in which she was taught in as a child, said Allen. She spent several years as a kindergarten teacher followed by her 20-year tenure as guidance counselor.
Barrington devoted much of her attention to her students, said Schloss.
“If there was ever a problem with a student, she asked how their behavior was affecting students and she always met with the them to talk about their problems,” she said. “Even if I had a problem with anything, I always went to her.”
The cost to participate is $25 for community members and $10 for Athens City School District students, according to the pre-registration flyer.
Half of the proceeds go toward the Athens Bulldog Elementary Cross-Country Clubs and the other half go toward the Friends of the Shelter Dogs of Athens.
So far, more than 300 people have volunteered and $3,500 has been raised from pre-registration.
“This race is absolutely for anyone that wants to help memorialize Patsy,” said Liz Schwarzel, organizer and Athens Bulldogs Cross-Country coach.
The 5k is located at West State Park Saturday morning at 9am with registration beginning at 8am.
“She was extremely important to not only the staff and administration, but for what she did for the students,” Schloss said. “She has a pretty big legacy in the Athens city school district and will be part of our community for years and years to come.”
az346610@ohiou.edu
