On August 19, 2014, the Islamic State released a video of conflict journalist James Foley’s execution. This video saturated U.S. media. Jim was a Kingswood graduate (‘92) and his death brought the horror of terrorism directly into our community. However, it also brought an awareness of the incredible risk that conflict journalists take to bring the power of a free press into corners of the world where speech and dissent are silenced. James Foley’s mother, Diane, created the James Foley Legacy Foundation in 2014, just a month after his death and the Freedom Run was established soon after as an important fundraiser and community event. 

The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation does amazing work both honoring Jim’s legacy of moral courage while providing advocacy for American hostages and their families. This year, the  James Foley Freedom Run/Walk is taking place at the James W. Foley Community Center in Rochester, on Saturday, October 19th, at 8:00. Kingswood has participated in this event every year since it began and last year our team raised over $2,000! 

This event is packed with GWRSD alumni, family and friends of Jim and is a great opportunity for us, as schools and as a district, to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to moral courage, global citizenship and democratic freedoms.