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A Runner Lost, a Legacy Continued
 Vol. 2, Issue 31, July 31-August 6, 2009
By Nathan Wright
Dana Point Times
Sarah DeMille 5k Memorial Run honors her memory by doing what she loved
In life, Sarah DeMille was the girl who loved to run when she wasn’t behind her camera. She dreamed of a career in photo journalism and was steadily approaching marathon miles after a four-year career on the Santa Margarita Catholic High School cross country team.
On February 24, 2006 the DeMille family of Monarch Beach lost Sarah in a tragic accident on a mountain road near Northern Arizona University–where she went to school. DeMille—who was wearing her seatbelt—was killed when her friend swerved to miss a deer and rolled the Jeep.
On Saturday, July 25 nearly 300 friends, families and community members attended the first annual Sarah DeMille 5K Memorial Run and Pancake Breakfast to honor her memory and raise money for a scholarship in her name. The event, held at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, raised more than $10,000 and will help pay for future scholarships to students who could use help paying tuition to the school, or to attend running camps and even college.
“The event on Saturday was more than we could have ever hoped for,” said Mary Jane DeMille, Sarah’s mother. “I am sure Sarah was looking down smiling and maybe just a little embarrassed by all the fuss.”
For her mother, all the fuss was a painful yet welcome reminder of her daughter. “The scary thing, as a mother, is the idea that she’ll be forgotten, and this ensures that she’ll have a legacy outside of her friends and family. People will remember her. It was wonderful.”
Saturday’s event came after Rancho Santa Margarita-based Applied Medical donated money in DeMille’s name for a scholarship at the school. In high school she worked at Applied Medical for two summers as an intern.
The donation prompted the DeMille family and the Santa Margarita cross country program to hold a 5K run and pancake breakfast to pay for the scholarship long term. The event will continue each summer.
“I know that Sarah is looking down upon us with happiness,” said Santa Margarita cross country coach Gil Garcia. “I can hear her voice saying, ‘you can do it ladies,’ echoing through the air. I can’t think of a better way to honor Sarah DeMille than to have all of the lady runners of the past come home to race in her memory.”
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An awesome tribute to a wonderful young woman. We are so glad that this run will be held annually and that Sarah will be honored and remembered.
God bless you,
The Galvins
To the DeMilles
What a tribute to your amazing daughter Not only will she always be a part of the Santa Margarita H.S. family she will always be a huge part of the St. Catherine Parish School family in Laguna Beach .Sarah attended elementary school there from First through 8th grade where she also participated each year in track.
A wonderul human being whom we were blessed to know for so many years. We look forward to running this race every year in her honor !
She will never be forgotten we love you Sarah xoxoxo