UCS students are hoping the community joins their race to "Breathe Happy"

A group of Utica Community Schools juniors are hoping community members support their efforts for a charity run that will help others breathe happy.

Three Utica Academy for International Studies students are sponsoring a 5K Run Walk to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on July 19 at Delia Park in Sterling Heights. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m.

Event co-organizers Christian Dondonan, Zechariah Jean and Jeremiah Jean are also members of the Stevenson High School cross country team.

"Our passion for running has fueled our need to give back to the community," said Zechariah Jean. "Since every runner knows how important the lungs are for their breathing, we decided that we wanted to give back to a cause that would help others breathe."

The "Breathe Happy 5K Run/Walk" costs $25 per participant and all runners will receive a free event shirt.

The family event will also feature prizes for top runners.

More information and registration are available at this link: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1532344

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.

The entire "Breathe Happy" fundraiser is student-planned and stems from the CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) requirement at UAIS.

In order to successfully complete the IB Diploma Program, each student must have documented 150 hours of after‐school activities (during junior and senior year) that are evenly split among creative, action and service oriented endeavors.