How does someone live after they die? It’s possible through the people he or she loved. The friends and family who have lost the ones the love keep them alive through various avenues such as photographs, home videos, or the retelling of stories or sayings that the person always used to have ready. We celebrate those that are no longer with us by repeating and reminding ourselves and others of legacies that were created and left behind. Reggie Flesvig has taken this idea and turned it up to eleven, which is why he’s this week’s Valpo Life in the Spotlight.
Ragnar Vedel Flesvig was born in Chicago, IL and raised in the Lakes of the Four Seasons. He went to Boone Grove High School and graduated in 1985. After graduation Flesvig attended DePaul University in Greencastle, Indiana where he majored in EnglishComposition. During his time in college, Flesvig ran cross country and track and took part in the yearbook and college newspaper.
Flesvig went back to Boone Grove as a substitute teacher for a spell before attending college once more at IUBloomington where he received a second bachelor’s degree in SecondaryEducation. From there, Flesvig got a job teaching English at Mt. Vernon Schools. After nine years he came home to Boone Grove to teach English and journalism to the middle schoolers.
Later on Flesvig took on a new task and got his administrators license and obtained the position as the assistant principal of Boone Grove Middle School.
“I love it a lot,” Flesvig said. “It’s a brand new challenge for me. I’ve been teaching for 20 years and worked mainly with kids. It’s a nice combo working with kids, teachers and with community. It helps keep my career fresh.”
There is a place in Flesvig’s heart for every one of his students. One in particular, Kent Ribordy, stood out among the others. Ribordy moved to Boone Grove from La Porte. He ran track and cross country and was loved by all who knew him. Sadly, Ribordy was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in his freshmen year of high school. This was an unwelcome blow to many, especially Flesvig.
“It was a big shock to me,” Flesvig said. “I got together with parents and talked about Kent and what could we do to keep his memory alive. We decided to have this race in his honor.”
So Flesvig set to work to create what Northwest Indiana now knows as Kent’s Run. Kent’s Run is a 5k run/walk that takes place in Boone Grove. All the money raised from the race goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“In the five years that we’ve done it we've raised over $150,000,” Flesvig said proudly. "It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my life. There’s no better feeling than being able to make a difference in lots of people lives than by raising money for cancer research.”
The first year of the race, Flesvig said that there were around 250 people that participated. Since then the number has significantly grown. In 2012, there were about 1000 runners that took part in Kent’s Run and this year Flesvig had to put a cap on the number of participants at 1200.
Flesvig’s part in Kent’s Run is to coordinate the volunteers, police, EMS, ,marketing and press releases. Pam Ribordy works with the sponsors to make the race happen. The community gets involved to help too, with cafeteria workers cooking food, parents getting involved as well as the students.
Flesvig has high hopes for this year’s race.
“This year I’d like to reach our goal of 1200 runners,” Flesvig said. “I’d like to see us be able to donate at least $40,000, and I think that goal is reachable by the number of people that will participate.”
What makes Kent’s Run special is the unique tribute it pays to Ribordy’s memory. For the pre race ceremony, Ribordy’s favorite song is played -”Who Will You Be Today?” by Kenny Chesney. Then convocation is given by a local pastor. As soon as that is done, the race starts.
“It’s a neat race. Kent is from La Porte so it brings people from there to Boone Grove,” Flesvig said. “That doesn’t happen much so it’s great to see everyone come together.”
Flesvig would like to see Kent’s Run continue for many years to come in Porter County. He loves his home and the surrounding area because of the people and the opportunities provided. It’s close to Chicago and Lake Michigan but still has a small town feel.
In his free time, Flesvig loves to spend time with his daughter, play sports and he also works at an event management company where he gets paid to help out at large events similar to Kent’s Run. He hopes to one day become a principal and travel to Norway. This destination makes sense given that he has an awesome Nordic name. When he goes to Norway he can use the Apple iPad that he won in a contest from us as ValpoLife. He already uses it in travel so why not keep at it?
So is there any advice that Flesvig felt needed to be left with the readers?
“I learned as I gotten older and being a teacher to only worry about things you can control,” Flesvig said simply. “And try to be happy every day.”
Smart words from a smart man.
This Saturday May 25, 2013 is the 6th Annual Kent’s run at 8am. The race starts and finishes at Boone Grove Middle School. If you haven’t signed up yet, DO IT.
Click here to register. And if you aren’t the running sort, walk. If you aren’t the walking sort, come and watch the race. Come on out and say hi to Reggie Flesvig, the Valpo Life in the Spotlight.