Meet Our RunStars
Sponsored by the Kevin Armstrong, M.D. Memorial Sports Foundation, the RUNSTRONG Program launched in October of 2010 and flourished with an average of 230 RunStrong students from five different Intermediate Schools competing in running events throughout Orange County. In addition to covering the cost of all registration fees and providing a RunStrong Team T-shirt, RUNSTRONG also provides a new pair of ASICS running shoes to students who successfully complete program requirements. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, our volunteer coaches and event staff as well as our administrators, faculty and friends who all help make our programs possible. But, the real stars are the kids. We are so proud of the thousands of students who have trained, run and even placed at the various races, earning medals and other awards. Here are a few of our Run Stars!
Fall 2023 RunStar: Amaya Esparza
Amaya Esparza is a 7th grader at Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School. She was introduced to the RunStrong program by Coach Jesse Penunuri during her 6th grade year and is currently still active going into her third year in the program. RunStrong has kept her motivated with her academics, She balances competition while excelling in honors classes and actively engaging in the Mendez Fundamental Music Program. She is also participating in both the Cross Country and the Track & Field teams at the school.
RunStrong has made an impact on Amaya as she was the first overall female at the "Reaching for the Cure" 5k in Irvine. She also won first place in the Santa Ana City Cross Country Championships both her 6th and 7th grade years including a first place finish at the prestigious Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational, with the RunStrong sponsored entry. Amaya was named "Athlete of the Meet" for her 6th grade Santa Ana City Track & Field Championships winning first place in the 400 Meters, 800 Meters, Long Jump and second place in the 4x100 Meters relay. Winning races has kept her even more motivated and inspired to continue to work hard.
RunStrong has made an impact on Amaya as she was the first overall female at the "Reaching for the Cure" 5k in Irvine. She also won first place in the Santa Ana City Cross Country Championships both her 6th and 7th grade years including a first place finish at the prestigious Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational, with the RunStrong sponsored entry. Amaya was named "Athlete of the Meet" for her 6th grade Santa Ana City Track & Field Championships winning first place in the 400 Meters, 800 Meters, Long Jump and second place in the 4x100 Meters relay. Winning races has kept her even more motivated and inspired to continue to work hard.
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The core of the RunStrong program has helped Amaya take on any challenge that arises whether academically or in athletics. This includes being in top form, disciplined and learning comradery. She has been able to establish new friendships with her RunStrong teammates. She looks forward to RunStrong sponsored races and puts great effort into workouts and preparation.
Amaya's future goal is to attend a university with an athletic scholarship and achieve her desire to become a pediatrician doctor. |
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She would also like to take her passion for running to another level and possibly go to the Track & Field Olympics. The Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation...encouraging and supporting academic and athletic excellence. Congratulations Amaya!
Winter 2023 RunStar: Shaun Gonzales
Shaun Gonzales, is a well-rounded student athlete. As a sophomore at Santa Ana High School, he participates in Track & Field and Water Polo while taking AP and Honor classes. He is also part of the mock trial as a co-captain as well as being a leader in FCA, a Fellowship for Christian Athletes. This may seem like a heavy load, but Shaun would have it no other way and he has maintained a 4.8 GPA. Shaun was introduced to RunStrong at MacArthur Intermediate School. Coach David Diaz recognized his talent, positive outlook and leadership skills immediately and Shaun was selected as one of the Captains of the RunStrong team. During this time, he honed his skills as a leader when running as well as in other areas of his life. Shaun loved to encourage his peers to stay focused, be safe and enjoy themselves. One of his favorite memories of being part of the program was witnessing quiet, shy runners mature into active, confident engaged RunStrong participants over the span of a few months.
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Shaun is the youngest of his siblings and his entire family inspires him to be the best scholar and athlete by demonstrating important values including a strong work ethic, dedication, and discipline. Shaun’s family is deeply rooted in the SAUSD – his father, Vince, has been an employee of the SAUSD for over 40 years, and his mother, Patricia “Trish”, attended Santa Ana High School as well as Shaun’s siblings. Vince and Trish regularly volunteer for RunStrong events and it has been enjoyable to see their participation and support of the program as a family.
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RunStrong has inspired Shaun in many ways and he knows that no matter how hard things get, you have to continue to push and not give up. At RunStrong races, he witnessed the strength and determination of his peers to finish strong no matter what. That focus continues to fuel Shaun when he faces challenges – he continues to push himself both mentally and physically. Shaun would one day like to become a lawyer and he definitely believes that if he never gives up, even when there are hurdles to overcome, he can achieve any goal…and so do we! The Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation... encouraging and supporting academic and athletic excellence. Congratulations Shaun!
Winter 2022 RunStar: Priscilla Van BusKirk
Priscilla is an active, a well-rounded senior at Segerstrom High School. As a student athlete, not only is she focused on doing well in her AP and Honors classes, but achieving athletic excellence competing in Cross Country, Soccer and Track & Field. As early as the 5th grade, Priscilla discovered a love for running and often found herself outrunning both girls and boys during recess. At MacArthur Intermediate School, she was introduced to Cross Country and to Coach David Diaz, coordinator of the RunStrong Program at the time. Coach Diaz encouraged her to join RunStrong and Priscilla participated in the program during her 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. Not only did she participate, but she was also an admirable student leader encouraging other students to always do their best and to never give up. Her love for running and championship spirit grew as she competed in RunStrong sponsored events where she often placed in her age category, outrunning youth from all over Southern California.
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As the oldest of her siblings, Priscilla is driven to excel academically and athletically in order to create a positive role model for her younger sisters just as other family members created for her. Her family values education and she strives to do her best in all areas of her life understanding that with hard work, determination and dedication you can not only reach your goals but exceed them. Priscilla would like to pursue a degree in Political Science and English with a goal of attending Law School.
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The Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation... encouraging and supporting academic and athletic excellence. Congratulations Priscilla!
Fall 2022 RunStar: Kiara Padilla
Kiara began participating in the RunStrong Program as a 6th grader at Mendez Fundamental school after hearing about the program from her older brother. Kiara was a focused, disciplined runner during her three years with Runstrong and now runs 5k races on a regular basis. In fact, the program introduced her to the joys of running and to the benefits of seeing her hard work and training pay off in faster times race after race.
Kiara began participating in the RunStrong Program as a 6th grader at Mendez Fundamental school after hearing about the program from her older brother. Kiara was a focused, disciplined runner during her three years with Runstrong and now runs 5k races on a regular basis. In fact, the program introduced her to the joys of running and to the benefits of seeing her hard work and training pay off in faster times race after race.
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In addition to RunStrong, while at Mendez, Kiara participated in Cross Country and Track & Field. Post-Pandemic, she won the 8th grade Cross Country race by almost a minute and also placed first in the 1-mile and the 800-meter Track & Field events. As a well-rounded student athlete, she was also part of the first place Girls Soccer Team and the first place Girls Basketball team during her 8th grade year. Now a 9th grader at Segerstrom High School, Kiara is continuing her athlete pursuits and she was the first Jaguar to cross the finish line at the City of Santa Ana High School Cross Country Meet at the varsity level.
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Kiara’s goal is to take advantage of her running ability and continue to earn excellent grades in order to receive an athletic scholarship to attend college and become a veterinarian. The Kevin Armstrong MD Memorial Sports Foundation...encouraging and supporting academic and athletic excellence. Congratulations Kiara!
“I'm glad I joined this running club. My time for the Cinco de Mayo 5k Race was 20 minutes and 3 seconds. I want to thank the Armstrong Foundation for everything that you have given us". ~ Eric, McFadden Intermediate School