Run for the Hs: Investing in the Future of Shawnee County Youth

The Run for the Hs 5k is a youth organized event. Miles Burgess, who will be a Junior at Silver Lake High School, is race directing the event. Cam Thompson, who will be a Junior at Hayden High School, is the Volunteer Coordinator. Several Shawnee County 4-Hers are also helping with the event.

Why Miles Burgess Wants to Give Back to Shawnee County 4-H

The mission of this event is to raise approximately $2,000 to fund scholarships so other Shawnee County youth can benefit from the educational programs, and leadership trips that were so instrumental to my own growth.

In cross country, they say the hardest mile is the one you run alone. As a 17-year-old 4-H leader, I've learned that "going the extra mile" isn't just about a race, it's a commitment to leadership and resilience. My journey in 4-H helped lay that foundation and began with simple club presentations and has evolved into a passion for STEM, robotics, and community health. 

Now, I am leading the charge for the "Run for the Hs," a youth-led 5K race designed to ensure every kid in Shawnee County can find their own "spark". The mission of this event is to raise approximately $2,000 to fund scholarships so other Shawnee County youth can benefit from the educational programs, and leadership trips that were so instrumental to my own growth. Some examples of events that scholarships go to are: 4-H Discovery Days, Citizenship in Action at the Kansas State Capital, 4-H Youth Leadership Council with Youth lead events year round, 4-H National Congress for State Project winners, 4-H Ignite in Washington DC and finally the Buckeye Leadership Conference in Ohio.  By attracting families from across the Topeka and Shawnee county area, we are not only promoting health and wellness but also creating a lasting foundation for the next generation of Shawnee County leaders through 4-H. 

We invite you to join us through participating in our 5K and your support directly impacts the future of youth in Shawnee County by providing them with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in our community and beyond. Because in 4-H, we don't just finish the race—we go the extra mile together.

Why Cameron Thompson Wants to Give Back to Shawnee County 4-H

The reason I am volunteering with this event is to give back to the organization that has given me and my family so much.  4-H is the organization that has served as my foundation to leadership and my project work in geology, performing arts, and my livestock projects.  That work has fostered interests that could lead me to potential careers and my goals for post-secondary education.  I have had the great fortune of attending statewide events (Discovery Days and Kansas Youth Leadership Forum) and receiving support from the community so that I could be successful later in life.  I love 4-H and will always try to give back!