Foxcroft School hosted the Cherry Blossom Walk, Run and Pooch Prance for Breast Cancer for the second year recently, helping to raise money, awareness, energy and hope for the local battle against this terrible disease.

Catherine S. McGehee, who was installed Friday at Foxcroft's 10th Head of School, and Lizanne Driskill, daughter of Nanette White, in whose honor the walk was first held, cut the ribbon to start the walkers, runners and prancers on their way.

When it was over, three Foxcroft women and a dad came home with medals in the competitive 5-K run. Two dogs, owned by Michaela Mahony of Potomac Falls, VA, and Rachel Brown of Marshall, VA, were deemed the pinkest pooches, and an estimated 250 individuals had spent a beautiful fall day doing good.

Nearly 30 runners participated in the 5K race organized by Foxcroft teachers and cross-country coaches Matthew Mohler and John Scharfenberg. Virtually the entire student body, a large contingent of faculty and staff, and a smattering of Foxcroft dogs joined parents, area residents and teams from local organizations such as Trinity Church-Upperville and Blue Ridge Hospice in a lovely 1.9-mile walk. Students along both the 5K and two-mile walking course made sure than no one took a wrong turn of Foxcroft's 500-acre Middleburg campus.

All told an estimated 250 individuals participated in the Middleburg event. A concurrent walk/run was held in Ashburn.

The overall winner of the 5K at Foxcroft was Kayla Farabaugh of Aldie, who also took the 19 & under female title with a time of 23:58.36. Medals – presented by Foxcroft sophomore and Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation board member Mary Park Durham – also went to Patia Fann, a junior from Purcellville, who place second among the girls and 5th overall and classmate Caroline Motley of McLean, who was third. In the 20- to 29-year old women's division, Foxcroft Admission Assistant Frances Sisson took the gold medal. Foxcroft father and Middleburg resident Chris Tate won the men's 50- to 59 age group.

Foxcroft girls have been a cornerstone of support for the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation since it held its first fundraising event in Middleburg in 2007. Over the years, the two organizations have developed a strong relationship, with the girls raising more than $35,000 through the walk, an annual Think Pink Basketball Tournament in January and other fundraisers during the year. At next Sunday's Interscholastic Equestrian Association Horse Show at McConnell Stables, for instance, there will be a "P. . . as in Pink, Ponies and Prevention" breast cancer awareness bake sale (All are invited for the show and the goodies!).

The Foundation has expressed its appreciation by honoring the Foxcroft student body as one of the first "Cherry Blossom Champions" in 2012. Last year, the Middleburg event was moved to campus in 2013 in honor of the School's centennial and then created two permanent seats on its Board of Trustees reserved for Foxcroft girls.

Lilly Potter and Madeline Travell, both of Middleburg, along with Associate Head of School Sheila McKibbin, served on the Education and Grants committees and participated in full board meetings. This year, Lilly has been joined by sophomore Mary Park Durham of Dallas because Maddie graduated last spring. The girls awarded medals, presented special prizes and generally helped organize and support Sunday's very successful event.