Westwood High Graduate To Run Boston Marathon “Like Hale”

While growing up in Westwood and running indoor and outdoor track at Westwood High School (WHS) all four years of high school, Christina Wysocki '17 attended many programs at Hale Reservation. She attends Northeastern University in Boston as a bioengineering major. “I am running the Boston Marathon for two reasons. One, to support an amazing charity whose programs I grew up attending and volunteering for and whose mission I fully support and two, to continue my passion for running in a city that means so much to me...running the marathon has always been a dream of mine, so after living 4 blocks from the finish line for over a year, I am hungrier than ever to step across it,” explains Wysocki.

On January 17, Six Strings Benefit Concert will be held at Hale Reservation’s Powissett Lodge to support Wysocki’s mission to “Run Like Hale.” The concert will feature acoustic music from three Boston-based performers: Sophia Jane, Cabin 5, and Late Night Thoughts. All three groups are people who she knows, and Sophia Jane suggested the idea of a concert to raise money for the cause to Wysocki. “They graciously agreed to donate their time as they strongly believe in Hale's programs that support [Boston Public Schools]. Together, these groups will create a fun night filled with great tunes.” In addition to the music, food and drinks will also be sold. There will also be a raffle with prizes including a stay for two at Nantucket Inn which includes breakfast, a gift from Sisco + Berluti, and gift certificates from Chiara Bistro and Not Your Average Joe’s. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Boston will be Wysocki’s first marathon, although she ran a half marathon in Newport, RI last spring. “[I] felt great after that and am ready to take on 26.2 [miles[ now!... Even though my background is in sprinting, my running experience has taught me the disciple of running and what it really takes to train for competition,” she says.

When asked why she chose Hale Reservation’s programs for students in the Boston Public Schools, including Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures (HOLA) and Intrepid Academy at Hale (IAH), as her charity, Wysocki’s response is intelligent and thoughtful. “I decided to "Run Like Hale" and raise money for the Boston Public School programs at Hale because I've seen the difference it makes when students are given the same opportunities as their peers. I have worked with Boston Public School students who come from low-income communities at Youth Enrichment Services as a volunteer ski instructor last year and it was an extremely rewarding experience. We took groups of students on all-day ski trips at a reduced rate and by the end of the day they had smiles from ear to ear after experiencing something completely new to them. Working with these kids made me realize that people who come from affluent towns, myself included, take activities like skiing for granted and don't realize the opportunity gap that's created between communities of different [economic] class. I decided to raise the money because I know that each penny will benefit a child this summer and that makes my heart happy.”

Outside of running, volunteering, and the classroom, Wysocki is a member of Northeastern's Dance Company who also enjoys skiing. Running “like Hale” is not her first time combining her passions with service. As a senior at Westwood High School, she completed a Senior Independent Project Program (SIPP) entitled “Art as One.” In this project, she worked with special needs students from The Educational Cooperative’s classroom.

Six Strings Benefit Concert will be held at Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA on January 17 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 and may be bought here.

Mayor's note: Writing about awesome Westwoodians like Christina is one of my favorite things! Please email me if you are doing something Patch-worthy!

Speaking of Hale, their Family Fun Day is on Saturday the 12th.