"This 5th annual race is a marker of how strong Paul’s spirit is, and how far it can push us"3/20/2018 My name is Laura Kowalik, and I am a Gettysburg College alum, Class of 2017. I was co-chair of the Anything is Paulssible race in 2016 and 2017. I transferred to Gettysburg after my freshman year, and immediately joined Alpha Phi Omega fall of my sophomore year. Pretty soon after, I began learning about the Anything is PAULssible 5k from its co-founders; Sara Moyer and Sophie Kashurba. At this point, I decided I wanted to get more involved with my college and the organization of APO. So, I joined the committee, and made one of the best decisions of my life. Through my time on the committee during my sophomore year, I gained so many friendships, and was able to blossom as a student, a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, and a person. The Anything is Paulssible 5k became something that was at the forefront of my college career, and that I’m proud to say that I was the co-chair of. It became part of my identity. I joined the committee to make friends and to be a part of something special within APO. The race also was a way for me to give back to a community that I held of high importance in my life. My grandma, my role model and best friend, suffered through years of breast cancer chemo treatments, won her battle with it after a double mastectomy, only to lose her battle years later to ovarian cancer. For this reason, cancer has been public enemy #1 in my book for my entire life. Then… I heard Paul’s story. I learned of Paul when I joined the committee, and quickly realized how spirited, admired, and loved he was. I learned the true turmoil and suffering he and everyone around him went through during his battle with brain cancer, and this sent a spark through my entire being that drove me to get more involved with the committee. I knew at that point that I was able to honor Paul and my grandmother in no better way than to help with the race. Paul’s spirit was felt through every committee meeting, all three races I was able to be involved with, and through every hardship the race faced, through transitioning of leadership, issues with planning, and everything else that could’ve been thrown at us. Although I could go on and talk more about how much the race helped me become the person I am today, instead I will continue by talking about where the race has the potential to go in the future, and who it can continue to help. The proceeds from the race go to helping the race go on and help fulfill Paul’s legacy, but also go toward a scholarship for a first-year student at Gettysburg College. Paul’s spirit follows this student through their entire Gettysburg College career and allows them to have opportunities that many couldn’t even imagine having. Paul was an inspired, driven, extremely intelligent, and optimistic student, son, brother, and friend. Every year, you can feel each of these aspects of him when all of his family, his closest friends, and students, faculty, and community members from Gettysburg College run on the grounds where Paul ran during his time as a student. The race is a way for Paul’s parents to feel his legacy and spirit continue on in a way to help another, just as Paul would have wanted. This 5th annual race is a marker of how strong Paul’s spirit is, and how far it can push us. The hard work has been done, and now the most important thing for all of the current and future APO brothers, friends, and family to do, is to continue to honor Paul’s legacy and help this race go on for years to come. One day, maybe one of the first committee members’ children will run on the day of the race, and be able to feel Paul’s spirit in the same way their parents were. That’s what we should push for, that’s what I yearn for, and that’s what Paul and his family deserve. Always remember, Anything is Paulssible. Signed, Laura Kowalik
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In addition to being one my best friends throughout my entire childhood, Paul was one of the most genuine, thoughtful, funny, and caring people I have ever met in my life. The way he was able to get along with and make a connection with people is a skill that not many people have. That is why I always thought the idea of a 5k in his memory was a perfect way to bring people together for a good cause, just as Paul always did. After our soccer careers came to an end in middle school, Paul and I decided to try our hand at cross country at the beginning of high school. To help us prepare for our first season, we ran a few 5ks around our area. I remember us both being very impressed with the community engagement found at each of these races. There were a great amount of local businesses sponsoring the races, giving out food/drinks after the race, and countless volunteers cheering people on and helping them to have the best experience they could. In most races, all proceeds were sent to great charitable cause. This type of community engagement is infectious, and so I am not surprised at all to heat about Paul’s proposal of a 5k race when he first applied to join Gettysburg’s APO chapter. Already seeing how far this race has come and continues to grow is a testament to not only who Paul was, but the people that he chose to surround himself with. I want to send a big thank you to all that have been involved with the development of this year’s “Anything is PAULssible” 5k, as all your hard work is greatly appreciated by not only Paul’s family and friends, but by the college and the local community as well. I am very excited to attend this year’s race, and can’t wait to see how it continues to grow over the coming years. Sincerely, -Nick Olindo March 12, 2017. When Laura Kowalik asked if David and I could write something about Paul’s spirit, personality and his love for running and participating in 5K’s, I thought the best place for you to get a sense of Paul’s spirit is from his personal writing. The 5K idea was already on Paul’s mind when he filled out his application for acceptance into APO. “If I could design and execute any service project I would want to set up a 5K race available for any one to participate in that would raise money for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education organization. The race could be held either on Gettysburg’s campus or somewhere nearby in town and could charge a small fee of money to register with some (or all) of the proceeds going to one of the Suicide prevention organizations that I mentioned above. APO could also design and sell shirts at the race to raise additional money for these organizations. I would choose to design and execute this as a service project because I am aware of the pain that suicide can cause (a very close friend of mine chose to end his own life last school year) and this project would allow APO to donate money to organizations with an intent to prevent suicide and deliver suicide awareness to others, as well as be a way for anyone that has been affected by suicide (directly or indirectly) to honor their past companions or family members.” As a freshmen Paul became good friends with Sophia Kashurba and Sara Moyer, also APO members and on several occasions the discussion came up about a 5K service project. After Paul’s passing in June 2013 , Sophia and Sara made Paul’s service project become a reality, only this time the proceeds were intended for the Paul Detweiler Memorial Scholarship Fund for which we are so incredibly thankful for. Paul ran track and cross country at Pennridge High School under the direction of couch, Bob Hosier who was a great mentor to Paul. Mr. Hosier is also a graduate of Gettysburg College. After the Cross Country season is over and at the banquet dinner, Mr. Hosier awards a member of the Cross Country team with the Paul Detweiler award for perseverance and staying power. Julie Detweiler Paul Detweiler was born on May 13, 1993 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania accompanied by his mother, Julie; father, David; and sister, Erin. From a very young age, Paul had an incredible spirit inside him, quite possibly the most positive person you’d ever have the privilege of meeting. Everyone who knew Paul described him as optimistic, caring, selfless, hard-working, amongst other great qualities. Although I only had the chance to get to know him in college, I learned a lot about Paul in a short time. He was the most selfless person I’ve met. He always asked how everyone was doing, and was genuinely concerned with the lives of others.
Paul loved Gettysburg, and he certainly made a lasting impact here. He joined Alpha Phi Omega fall of his freshman year, and I am not exaggerating when I say he talked about it all the time and how great it was. He was a member of the Jedi family with Sophie Kashurba, my co-director of the race. To give you perspective of Paul’s personality: when asked if anyone could usher Sunday church services, Paul was always the first to volunteer. This was back in the day when APO meetings where held in the church basement. Paul was also very diligent and hard-working. His first semester of college, he decided that becoming a Physician’s assistant would be his dream. In the first two months alone, Paul maintained around 3.9 grade point average, despite complaining of headaches. At the end of October, Paul complained of an excruciating headache, and was rushed to the emergency room. From there, the doctors diagnosed him with a brain tumor. This was truly the beginning of the toughest fight of Paul’s life. But despite this heartbreaking news, Paul remained positive and determined. Even when he wasn’t at school, Paul stayed in contact with his closest friends at Gettysburg. Most nights, Paul asked how I was doing and never complained about his treatments. He always had an optimistic outlook about his diagnosis. When talking to his parents, they told me that once in a while, a priest would come talk to Paul. The priest affirmed that Paul was easily the most positive boy he had ever met. When Paul returned to campus the following year, he was more determined than ever to finish school. The first semester, he was on the Dean’s List and got straight A’s. He also remained active in APO, his favorite organization on campus. Paul was a fighter. I remember one of the most profound things Paul told me: “If cancer has taught me anything, it’s to be grateful for the ones around you and appreciate the little things. I’m so blessed to be in this world, and to have people who care about me so much.” Paul did that every day of his life; he embodied these words. He loved APO, and he loved everyone in it. His dream was to put on a 5k alongside his APO brothers, and we’ve had the privilege to live out his dream for the past three years. The 5k should make everyone feel connected to a brother who embodied APO’s values. Be excited for it. You are honoring a brother who made this world so much brighter in his twenty years. I can tell you first hand that not a day goes by when I don’t think of Paul. He made so many people happy, and I only wish that everyone could continue this legacy through the 5k. You guys are a part of something great here, and I hope everyone gets involved. -Sara Moyer, co-chair of the 5K (2014 -2015) |