The 36th Annual Wildflower Run, held in memory of beloved Coach Shannon Hilburn on May 11, raised $4,997 for the Shannon Hilburn Memorial Scholarship Fund. Readers and participants might recall that two teams competed against each other during the Wildflower Run to help raise money for the scholarship fund: Team Colby (Wissell) and Team Bobby (Lyons).
During the race, Wissell outran his shoes, losing the soles of his racing flats around the 3K mark. Although he completed the run in soleless fashion, he crossed the finish line a mere 14 seconds after Lyons, comically blaming his soleless running shoes. His team also lost to Team Lyons. In a win for all, Wissell donated an additional $3 to the fund, making the donation a complete $5K from the 5K, as Dr. Chip Cooper presented Allison Hilburn, widow of Shannon Hilburn, the check for $4,997.
According to Matt Smith of the Bristow Education Foundation, who manages the scholarship fund, donations from Hilburn’s family and friends and throughout the community initially established the scholarship fund. Smith noted that BEF was “honored to partner with the Wildflower Run … to assist in fundraising” for the fund. Further, Smith stated “The BEF is matching 100% of the donations made by the Wildflower Run.”
Additionally, Smith noted that the BEF will continually raise money for the fund through an annual BEF fundraiser. He also said “The BEF board invests their funds with a few different entities. … The scholarship fund will then generate interest and investment income that will allow this scholarship to continue for
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On May 9, Abigail Morgan, Bristow Public School 2024 graduate with a 4.3 GPA, became the first recipient of the Shannon Hilburn Memorial Scholarship, receiving an award of $1,000. Ms. Morgan, daughter of Matt and Jennifer Morgan, was a 4-year varsity member of BPS’ ladies’ basketball and softball teams. She also served as the co-captain of the softball team, 2022 fastpitch softball academic state champion, held the Bristow High School record for most career 3-pointers, and was a state quarterfinalist in fastpitch softball in 2020, 2021, and 2022 along with her team. Morgan played both fastpitch and slowpitch softball. Regarding her educational future, Morgan plans to earn a degree in health sciences from Rogers State University.
Although Coach Hilburn never taught Morgan in a classroom setting, Morgan noted that he coached and mentored her in her athletic endeavors, saying “While I never had the opportunity to have Coach Hilburn as a teacher in the classroom, the life lessons I have received from him over the years through coaching and mentoring will always hold a special place in my heart. He taught me to never lose faith despite any hardships that come my way. I will forever be grateful for the faithful life that Coach Hilburn lived out in front of me and so many others. … I am very honored to have been chosen as the first recipient of Coach Hilburn’s Memorial Scholarship and I will continue to strive to live out the principles that Coach Hilburn would be proud of.”
Anyone desiring to donate to the scholarship fund may do so through BEF. Donations may be made to BEF via check at P.O. Box 531, Bristow, OK, 74010. The BEF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.