Team Karlie Goes the Extra Mile for New Members

“Team Karlie,” a spontaneous initiative that began at Burns Middle School three years ago, has continued to grow and embrace new members. The team now consists of four individuals who will compete in the Owensboro BBQ Festival Run/Walk 5K Race starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14.

The team began in 2009 when staff and students at Burns Middle School joined together to buy a racing bicycle for Karlie Hempel, a special needs student at BMS. Karlie has since participated in several races.

Leah Abell was next to join the team, pushed by her father, Ronnie Abell. Earlier this year, two new members were added to Team Karlie, thanks to a donation from Blue Meridian Dive Center’s Foundation which covered the purchase of two additional racing bicycles. Through an application process, Ruben Matias and Rachel Hardy were selected as the newest members of Team Karlie.

Ruben is a fourth-grader at Deer Park Elementary School, and he will be pushed in the race by his teacher, Robert Williams.

Rachel, a 30-year-old resident of the Wendell Foster Center, will be pushed by her uncle, Pat Hardesty.

Original team member Karlie will be pushed by her best friend, Lauren Tucker, with BMS staff member Jeff Miller beside them.

Team Karlie T-shirts are also available; proceeds will be used to purchase additional racing strollers to expand the team. Anyone making a tax-deductible donation of $10 or more will receive a free shirt.  For more information or to order shirts, contact Amanda Owen at BMS, (270) 852-7400 or here