SHERWOOD, Ark. — January 22nd is a significant day for the town of Sherwood. It marks the one-year anniversary of the death of five teenagers who were tragically killed in a car crash while on their way back to Arkansas from a college visit out of state.
They were Salomon Correa, Andrea Prime, Ava Luplow, Maggie Franco, and Susana Prime.
On Sunday afternoon, Joy Cahoone along with several other family members and loved ones, organized a Fab 5k run at the Sherwood Forrest to remember those that they lost and reflect back on their lives and how they touched the community.
"They played such a big role in each and everyone's lives. Especially if they only knew them for a short amount of time. They made an impact in their life for Christ," Cahoone said.
For many in the community, the race meant more than just winning and losing. Instead, it was about remembering the five lives that were loved and marking the beginning of a memory that they will hold dear to their hearts
"Basically, we want this run to be an image of our life here on earth and how we're all on our individual race. Some of us are going to finish before others, just like our five finished their race earlier," Cahoone described.
She explained how each one of them loved the outdoors and running, so this was a perfect opportunity to bring the community together.
"We figured this would be the best way to bring people together to help with the grief we're going through during this hard time. So we feel this was one of the best ways to deal with this and that's to be with friends and family and loved ones during this time," Cahoone added.
Sherwood Mayor Mary Joheye-Townsell also attended Sunday's race and said it was a nice way to honor the beautiful souls and see the community come together for each other despite the frigid temperatures outside.
"One of the things I'm so excited about is the fact that this will become an annual event and there'll be something that our community can look forward to. A way in which we can continue on into the future honoring these kids," Mayor Townsell said.
Cahoone explained how it's not about how you start your race but how you finish it and that's what each one of them exemplified until the very end because they didn't love anything more than their faith.
"Because of their testimonies here on earth, we know faithfully that they're in heaven with us forever. So anytime that you're running your race here on earth when you're going through battles, and you're going up hills and stuff in your life, just know it's never too late to endure race," Cahoone explained.
Faith Bible Fellowship Church in Sherwood will host a service of remembrance on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. to reflect on the year that has passed since the loss of the five.