FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston Marathon Foundation Announces
the Susan Poorman Blackie Scholarship Winners
HOUSTON (August 4, 2016) - The Houston Marathon Foundation (HMF) announced
today that Abigail Smith of Seven Lakes High School and Nicolas Terrazas of
Stratford High School were named recipients of the Susan Poorman Blackie
Scholarship. The two stand-out students and former high school runners will
each receive a $5,000 scholarship grant annually for four years, totaling
$20,000 in financial aid toward their college tuitions.
The scholarship was created in honor of Susan Poorman Blackie, co-founder
of the HMF and long-time Houston Marathon Committee volunteer board member.
The Susan Poorman Blackie Scholarship is designed to recognize
student-athletes in the Greater Houston Region who have demonstrated
academic success, participated in high school cross country running,
volunteered for extracurricular activities and applied to attend a college
or university in the state of Texas.
"The HMF selection committee did an outstanding job identifying two
wonderful student-athletes from this year's class who exemplify the
character and good will that was the essence of the wonderful person for
whom this scholarship was named," said Wade Morehead, Executive Director of
the Houston Marathon Committee and Foundation. "Susan Poorman Blackie
played an impactful, significant role in the lives of so many in this
community and within our organization; it is with great pride that we award
these scholarships in her name."
A 2015 Aramco Houston Half Marathon finisher, Smith was a varsity member of
the track and cross country teams and was a member of the school
record-setting 4x800m and 4x1600m relay teams. She also was the volunteer
communications director for Achilles International - Houston Chapter, where
she handled the social media channels and website for the organization.
Smith will be attending Baylor University - Honors College.
"Abigail is such a wonderful asset to Achilles Houston and we are so proud
to call her a friend," said Bernie Tretta, Executive Director of Achilles
International Houston. "She is full of light and always smiling. She was
instrumental in helping get Achilles' newsletters, social media sites and
website off the ground, plus she always brought her positive attitude along
for the ride. We wish her the very best of luck in college and beyond."
Terrazas, who graduated first in his high school class, will be attending
Rice University where he will be a walk on to the cross country team. He
ran varsity cross country and track all four years in high school and won
the UIL XC Team State Championships his sophomore year.
"Nicolas is a great student-athlete," said Stratford High School XC Coach
Tony Brillion. "He was very dedicated to helping his team be champions."
Susan Poorman Blackie Scholarship Past Recipients:
2015
Chris Winske (Morton Ranch High School, University of Incarnate Word)
Laine Zizka (James E. Taylor High School, Texas Christian University)
2016
Abigail Smith (Seven Lakes High School, Baylor University)
Nicolas Terrazas (Stratford High School, Rice University)
For more information on the Houston Marathon Foundation, visit
houstonmarathonfoundation.com.
About The Houston Marathon Foundation
Founded in 2008, the Houston Marathon Foundation is committed to support
the advancement of running as an element of a balanced, healthy lifestyle
in the Houston community and nationally. The national focus of the
organization is dedicated to promoting and improving the sport of distance
running while locally, the organization supports running related program
and community needs that will improve and create effective health-based
initiatives. Additionally, youth programs and after school running
programs provide coaching, support, guidance and opportunity to over 1,000
Houston area students annually who would otherwise have few or no fitness
opportunities and many of whom participate in the annual Houston Marathon
Committee weekend events.
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