Newark-based Education Foundation Backs KIPP Track & Field Team At National Competition With $10K Grant

The KIPP Life Academy track and field program’s phenomenal run to the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in California, which is being held this week, will be backed by a $10,000 grant from the New Jersey Children’s Foundation (NJCF) to ensure the student-athletes can participate in the event.

The KIPP Life Academy track and field program’s phenomenal run to the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in California, which is being held this week, will be backed by a $10,000 grant from the New Jersey Children’s Foundation (NJCF) to ensure the student-athletes can participate in the event.

“When the New Jersey Children’s Foundation was made aware of the current economic challenge in sending this great team to Sacramento, we acted quickly,” said Galen Johnson, director of External Affairs at NJCF. “We can think of no better group of students to represent our city. We wish them luck in the competition. We ask them to do their best. And today, as these Newark student-athletes depart for Sacramento, we stand united to celebrate their great accomplishments.”

The KIPP Life Academy “1st Track Club Speedsters” is in its first year participating in track and field and competing against other third- and fourth-grade teams. KIPP Life Academy doesn’t have a formal track facility, so students practiced in the school hallways and local parks throughout the 2021-22 school year.

Within a year, 10 KIPP student-athletes paced their way to the state championships, with six runners – Donnell Redding, Nazeeha Adome, Elyanna Yeboah, Chyla Smith, Jada Finley and Zahara Escourse – moving on to a successful performance at the regional Junior Olympics.

All six runners, dubbed as “The Super Six” among their teammates, are going up against the top competition in the country this week at the national showcase.

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