TimesLeader.com

October 1, 2008

Running to remember

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

ABINGTONS- On July 6, 2005, the Abington community lost ‘an amazing person’ when Abington Heights High School student Dulcey Degilio passed away after suffering injuries in an automobile accident.

To keep Degilio’s memory alive, her family set up the Dulcey Degilio scholarship fund, which is awarded each year to two Abington Heights students, who, in the opinion of the scholarship committee, share similar qualities and outlook on life as Degilio.

“She was an amazing person, she was really into kids and animals, I think when she got older she wanted to have a day care. She also knew everyone, everyone was her family,” said Abington Heights alumni Danielle Williams.

Williams was a lifelong friend of Degilio. The two met in first grade and were inseparable ever since, to the point where some were convinced they were related.

“She was taller than me and more mature looking, so everywhere we went people thought that she was my mom or older sister,” said Williams.

Williams was one of the recipients of the 2006 Dulcey Degilio scholarship, and Degilio’s inspiration helped Williams select her college major.

“She wanted to go into the education field and I didn’t really want to do that when I was a junior, I wanted to do graphic design,” said Williams. “But, I was inspired by her to do education, so I’m a junior at the University of Scranton studying education.”

This year, wanting to give something back and do her part to spread the memory of Degilio, Williams has decided to raise some money for the scholarship fund by running the Steamtown Marathon.

Williams started training in early June for the 26.2 run to be held Oct. 12, and even though she ran on the track team in high school, she admitted that before this she never ran more than four miles at one time.

“I always wanted to run it (the Steamtown Marathon) and I got the motivation because of Dulcey. I wanted to keep her memory alive and I wanted a challenge for myself. It’s been really hard, (the training) but it’s been going well,” said Williams.

“My uncle also ran it and qualified for the Boston Marathon; so he was also a big influence.”

When Williams started collecting donations she was hoping to collect, at the most, $400, but during the process her feeling of keeping Degilio’s memory alive was one shared by all and she has already collected a little over $1,000.

“The response has been really good, I want to thank everyone who has donated, and her parents (George and Tamie J. Kresge Degilio) would like me to say thanks as well,” said Williams.

Even though she has already reached her goal, Williams isn’t ready to stop any time soon. She’ll be collecting donations until the day of the race. Anyone interested can mail a donation to Danielle Williams at 222 DeNaples Center, The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18505, or 13027 Valley View, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

The race will start at Factoryville High School, 100 Susquehanna St, Forest City at 8 a.m. and end at Courthouse Square, North Washington Ave., Scranton.

Want to donate?

What: Danielle Williams Steamtown Marathon memorial run to benefit the Dulcey Degilio scholarship fund

When: October 12. The race will start at Factoryville High School, 100 Susquehanna St, Forest City at 8 a.m. and end at Courthouse Square, North Washington Ave., Scranton.

Info: Mail a donation to Danielle Williams at 222 DeNaples Center, The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18505, or 13027 Valley View, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.