Publications & Sites 
Prodigy race raises $2,000 for veterans
Kathryn Hagne and Columbia Montes were the first two women to finish the Prodigy 2020 5K Nov. 10, providing a very close result at the end, with Hagne just ahead by a half step. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 30, 2012 6:14AM
RIVER GROVE — More than 200 people laced up their running shoes earlier this month and took to the street to support military veterans.
On Nov. 10, the Prodigy 5K Run and Walk was hosted by Prodigy 2020 Foundation and sponsored by Triton College. Proceeds from the race went to support educational and economic resources for military veterans to help in their transition from the battlefield into civilian life.
Rosalind C. Abrams, president of the Prodigy 2020 Foundation, which organized the event, knows first-hand how tough that transition is, experiencing it when she left the U.S. Army 10 years ago for civilian life.
“For me it was difficult because I was not as prepared as I should have been, so I want to make it easier for others,” she said. “I want to make sure they (new veterans) know what’s available to them.”
Abrams said after all the expenses were paid, Prodigy raised $2,000 through the event. She hoped to raise more, but will make sure the money will go to help new veterans through scholarships and small business grants.
Jonathan Kaya, 20, who attends Triton College, decided to participate in the race when he found out about it at school. He is studying exercise science and is working on his certification to be a personal trainer.
He is vice president of the Triton College Personal Trainer Club and enlisted 15 members of the group to participate.
“The members of the personal trainer club thought we should be a part of it,” he said.
Some trained on their own while others trained in groups. Kaya said participating in the race was a memorable experience.
“We did good in my opinion,” he said. “It was the first 5K I’ve ever done in my life. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a great time.”
He finished the three-mile event in about 26 minutes. He plans on participating in more events like this in the future.
“Definitely I would do a 5K again,” he said. “I enjoyed it. It was fun at the end to see everyone coming in to finish. It was just a bonding moment between the group of us.”
