Walk in Wauconda will raise funds for memorial scholarship
Children of Ray and Judy Porten, along with alumni of Wauconda High School, plan to walk 41 miles Oct. 12-13 to raise funds for The Ray and Judy Porten Memorial Scholarship.
The goal of the walk is to raise $5,000 or more to enable the scholarship to continue to award grants to deserving graduates of WHS.
The Ray and Judy Porten Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013. With support of friends and members of the community, it will award a scholarship to two university, community college or vocational-bound high school seniors based on demonstrated academic achievement, athletic participation, community volunteer efforts and proven leadership qualities in and out of school.
Candice Porten, daughter of Ray and Judy Porten, created the scholarship and organized this walk to raise funds to support her parents’ memorial scholarship and, at the same time, create awareness for living a healthy lifestyle.
“I chose to walk to honor my parents because they dedicated their life to their children and the children of WHS,” Porten said. “Five years ago, I created an organization called A Mile for Every Year to promote living a healthy lifestyle, and each year for my birthday I walk a mile for every year I am old, plus one year for good luck.
“I am honored to say that this year, in addition to walking as part of my birthday, 41 miles of this walk will be to raise money, promote health and to honor the number of years my parents were married before my father passed away in 1998.”
Ray and Judy Porten met while attending WHS and soon after graduation they married and had six children, who all attended the Wauconda schools.
During the years their children attended school and beyond, both Ray and Judy dedicated countless hours to the Wauconda Boosters and toward fundraising for various projects at WHS such as: having lights installed on the athletic field so games could be played at night, putting in a new press box, and ensuring that students from junior varsity through varsity could enjoy athletic activities.
They shared a passion for their family and for the kids of WHS. The Ray and Judy Porten Memorial Scholarship was created to continue their legacy in the support of the students of WHS by rewarding hard work, dedication, and grass-roots community efforts in Wauconda and its surrounding communities.
On Oct. 12-13, the walk will kick off at Middleton’s on Main in Wauconda. Members of the community are invited to stop by Middleton’s on Main from 7-8 a.m. for refreshments to send off the walkers or drop off a donation.
Interested individuals are welcome to walk any portion of the walk with the Ray and Judy Porten team over the two days. For more information on the walk route, contact Candice Porten or look for information on the Ray and Judy Porten Memorial Scholarship Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheRayAndJudyPortenMemorialScholarship.
To donate to the Ray and Judy Memorial Scholarship Fund, mail donations to The Ray and Judy Memorial Scholarship, make checks payable to The Ray and Judy Memorial Scholarship, 544 W. Cinnabar Trail, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, or go to the Facebook page.