By PHIL OSBORNE

Danville Schools Education Foundation

It’s the end of the school year and time to catch up on a few things.

First, the Admiral 5K is a new event in Boyle County this year. It is the successor event to the Bill Pollom Father’s Day 5K, which was held for four years in Bill’s memory. A long-time community advocate and supporter of Danville Schools, Bill’s family named the Danville Schools Education Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of the annual event at Millennium Park. After four years, the family and friends who were the energy behind the race turned over management to the Foundation.

This year’s 5K will take place on Saturday, June 15, at Millennium Park, starting at 8 a.m. Serious runners, hobbyists and walkers are all encouraged to participate. Preregistration information can be found at www.givedanville.org/events/admiral-5k.

It’s also not too late to add your name or your business’ name to the growing list of sponsors for the event. You can get more information on sponsor levels by contacting phil.osborne@danville.kyschools.us.

This is commencement week for students at Danville High School. The big event will be Thursday evening at the Norton Center. Dozens of young men and women will take their final steps across the stage as high school students, and take their first steps into the exciting next chapter of their lives. Regardless of whether they choose college, career, the military or a service organization, all are to be commended for their work.

Some students will be recognized with scholarship awards from various organizations, including the Danville Schools Education Foundation and Alumni Association. We will present $500 to a deserving student who has distinguished him or herself by remaining focused on academic pursuits in the face of significant challenges in their lives. A lot of students could fall into that category, but we can only recognize one. The story is inspiring!

I also want to again thank everyone who made the Troy Trumbo scholarship event such a success. Some donations are still coming in — and you can continue to make yours through our website. The count so far is more than $1,350 that will help future student-athletes who embody the characteristics that Troy demonstrated on and off the field.

After a late night of commencement — at least late at my age — it’s the faculty and staff’s turn for recognition with an awards ceremony at Gravely Hall on Friday morning. Among the honorees will be the annual Lydia Ellis Arts Education award winner. The arts have been at the forefront of school news recently, with the Kennedy Center Award and the piano donation for Gravely. This award recognizes a faculty member who has elevated the role of arts education in the classroom.

And looking ahead to June, don’t forget the 4N6 reunion, marking 25 years of the award-winning DHS forensics team. You can find out more information at facebook.com/events/2298219007121629.

One final reminder; it is Election Day. Don’t forget to vote. The course that is charted this year will set the tone for policy discussion for many years to come.

As always, Go Ads.

Phil Osborne is executive director of the Danville Schools Education Foundation. Email him with questions about the foundation at posborne@danvilleschoolsfoundation.org.