On the crisp morning of Sunday, November 7th, the Great Hall of Newark Academy was filled with two hundred five runners and over forty volunteers, all ready to participate in the 7^th Annual 5K Run for F.O.P.   Each year, the School Council raises money for Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or F.O.P., which affects NA alumnus Ian Cali ’08.   On paper, the condition, which over time turns the body’s muscle into bone, affects one in two million people worldwide.  It was clear at the Run, however, that if one NA community member has a condition, the entire school is affected and takes action accordingly. Besides the numerous runners linked to NA, busloads of Ian and brother Jason Cali’s fraternity friends and NA friends arrived at Newark Academy.  With the combined donations from students, NA faculty, parents, realtives, and the fraternity brothers, the Run garnered $17,000, which will be used to fund research for finding a cure for F.O.P. in the future.

Physics teacher Mr. Bitler, who arrived at Newark Academy just two years ago, describes how he is certainly “gladdened that Newark Academy shows so much commitment to a cause.”  This commitment is much appreciated by John Cali, father of Ian Cali and the NA Men’s Varsity Soccer coach, who wishes to convey that “it is amazing for us as a family that so many years after Ian’s graduation the event is still happening with such fantastic support.” He also acknowledges that “there are many worthy causes out there” and how he is “flattered that the Run continues [with] the student body deciding [to continue] it each year.”

A large bulk of the runners on Sunday were Newark Academy students, such as Varsity Cross Country runner Junior Michael Pellicane, who feels that “at the end of the running season, there’s the opportunity for one last race at the F.O.P. event.”  Even though he does not personally know Ian Cali, Pellicane finds that “putting so much effort into the Run [is] something worthwhile.”  Sophomore Nick Williams, a Varsity Soccer player, believes that “it is our duty, especially as soccer players, to come out and support our coach and his family.”  Williams further wishes to share how he remembers Ian as “never letting F.O.P. get in the way of his life.”

Ian did not allow his condition to impede his life on November 7^th either, enjoying himself at the finish line of the Run.  He expresses how “it is unbelievable that [there have been] seven Runs. Coming back to Newark Academy is always nice. I love it here and there are always friendly faces.”  He explains that “because F.O.P. is a progressive disease, every day is the best it’s going to be. That’s not a bad way to wake up.”

Ian, who inspired so many others to support F.O.P. research, finds motivation in knowing that “there are people that always have [his] back.”  With the sustained enthusiasm and dedication towards the F.O.P. cause, Newark Academy has a chance to aid a community member and even contribute to unlocking medical secrets for numerous diseases other than F.O.P.

Editors’ note: Current Newark Academy student medal-winners placed as follows.  Sophomore Chris Paolini ’13 placed second overall, while Senior Ashley Ulrich ’11 and Sophomore Caroline Willian ’13 were the top 2 women finishers.  Freshman Thomas Bernhardt ’14, Sophomore Joe DeNoon ’13, and Junior Carissa Szlosek ’12 were the top finishers in their respective age groups.