NORTH SMITHFIELD – Abigail Roden and Rachael Snyzyk are both multi-sport athletes at North Smithfield High School, serving as captains of the volleyball and cross country teams, respectively.
But it is their participation with unified sports that inspired their decision to do fundraising for one organization supporting inclusive athletics with their senior project this year.
“I really like the inclusion aspect of it,” said Roden, who has participated in the district’s unified programs, where students of all abilities compete together, since the sixth grade. “I just really enjoy it.”
Roden and Snyczk will raise money for the Special Olympics by hosting the Northmen 5K on Saturday, May 3, an annual walk/run through the area surrounding the school that brings out more than 100 participants each year. The event, first started in 2011 by the North Smithfield Athletic Association, had a five year hiatus between 2017 and 2021, but was brought back in 2022 by then NSHS senior Calla Puccetti for her senior project. It has been going strong since, as students in each new senior class step up to the task.
Snyzyk, an athlete who got her start as a runner completing course runs with her grandfather, was just a freshman when the 5K first became student-led. A member of cross country teams since the sixth grade, Snyzyk looked up to senior athlete Puccetti, the varsity captain for the cross country team during her first year at NSHS.
“Things kind of clicked for me,” said Snyzyk. “Ever since freshman year, I’ve known it was what I wanted to do for my senior project.”
But putting on the event, a massive project that involves working through road closures, coordinating with a timing company, securing sponsors, advertising and more, is at least a two person job.
“It’s a huge project, and it definitely is a lot more than I think we both thought it would be,” said Snyzyk.
“I just like being active and that’s why I thought this would be a good project for both of us,” said Roden. “It’s manageable, but I think it helps having another person.”
The work is added a long list of school and other obligations. Both girls are members of the National Honor Society, and on Monday, squeezed in some time to speak before a track meet at the school.
For their research papers, another element of the senior project required for graduation, Roden took on the topic of the benefits of physical activity for those with special needs. Snyzyk picked a similar topic, only addressing the benefits of physical activity for everyone.
A participant in the program since her sophomore year, Snyzyk said she enjoys the sport because she likes seeing the appreciation, sense of accomplishment and joy of her unified teammates.
“That’s why we choose the Special Olympics, because we wanted to kind of give back,” she said.
In keeping with the 5K’s roots, the NSAA will also benefit from the event, helping to support the programs that have shaped the students’ high school years for future athletes.
The 3.1 mile race will take off from the North Smithfield Middle School at 1850 Providence Pike at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. Registration costs $25 or $20 for students and veterans, and is available here. Unlike similar events of its kind, the race welcomes leashed dogs to participate.
“Signups are slowly getting there,” said Roden. “A lot of the people who are going to run are going to show up on race day, which is fine.”
Snyzyk noted that last year’s race had around 150 participants.
“Hopefully we get a lot this year,” she said. “If I could run, I definitely would.”
“The purpose of this is to bring the community together,” added Roden.
