Today is @TeamVickiSoto - One of My Favorite 5Ks of the Year (A Cause I Believe In)

I continue to shake my head reflecting on December 14, 2012 when suddenly Connecticut was on all the news and those of us who are educators began to shake our heads in sadness, frustration, sorrow, and disbelief. My instinct was to reach out to the National Writing Project community and, without fail, we raised enough money to do a book release of Trina Paulus's Hope For the Flowers throughout schools, synagogues, churches, community centers, and doctor's offices around the region. I'd soon read more and more about Vicki Soto, her graduation from Stratford Public Schools (the same town where I live), and her family's dedication to keep her memory and spirit alive: pink flamingos and Live, Love, Laugh.

Last year, I had to miss the 5K because I was at a national conference, but this year I arranged a small Fairfield University team who will be represented in the race, rain or shine. We will run for teachers, educators and the power of love in our K-12 schools.

I even bought a pair of flamingo socks that I've been saving for the run and I will wear them rain or shine.

Somewhere in my files, I have an article I wrote about everything ever published about literacy and the prevalence of gun violence in our nation. I collected every piece I could find written by English educators, administrators and young people about such tragedies. I closed that writing into a folder hoping that such events would not continue (it was written for English educators like me to have a way to respond in times of such terrible loss).

I believe I need to open that folder again. I'm always attempting to be the optimist and hopeful, so writing about such darkness made me fearful and angry. I am realizing, however, that looking at this darkness is the only way to bring forward more light.

Today, as always, the 5K will bring tremendous light to Short Beach as 4,000 runners sweat in honor of a young woman's legacy. It will begin and end with a gigantic American flag and along the route there will be marching bands, cheerleaders, crowds, and celebration.

This is the nation I believe in. This is why it's one of my favorite events of the year.