Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2015 -- The Burning Sands 5k Runs has announced their second Academic Scholarship will be established in honor of Harrison Kowiak. Kowiak was only 19 years old when he died from trauma received during a fraternity initiation for the Theta Chi chapter at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. Since Kowiak's death, his family is determined to protect other students like their son. The Kowiaks have joined forces with The Burning Sands to fight against Hazing. As part of a national anti-hazing campaign, The Burning Sands 5k Runs have chosen 4 students who have lost their lives due to Hazing to name Academic Scholarships in honor of. The recipients of these scholarships will be students who are raising awareness and the need to end "Hazing" within their school or local community.
Portions of the proceeds raised by the national 5k races taking place on September 27, 2015 in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Chicago will go towards these scholarships to strengthen the voices of those affected by Hazing, like Kowiak's family. With the support of HazingPrevention.org, the largest organization against Hazing, The Burning Sands hopes to raise public awareness and empower students, organizations and universities nationwide to put an end to Hazing now. The founder of TBS Dennis L. Smith believes the key to end Hazing is through empowering students saying, "The minority of students in an organization commit these heinous acts and therefore it is the majority of students we must reach."
Another academic scholarship has been named in honor of Armando Villa who died this past year after passing out in the Angeles National Forest barefoot and with no water during the initiation rite for Pi Kappa Phi at California State University at Northridge. The Burning Sands will announce the 2 other students whom the scholarships will be named in memory of later this Spring.
About The Burning Sands 5k Runs
The Burning Sands 5k Runs have been established as a commitment to inform, strengthen, and raise the public's awareness of the growing need to unite as one to end all forms of hazing. The founder of TBS Dennis L. Smith believes the key to end Hazing is by "students empowering students". "The enactment of a state law or any prosecution only comes into play after the death of a student. The affect or action that causes the trauma then initiates the effect of a punishment by law. We must stop the affect! The minority or select few students of an organization are the cause of these heinous acts that create the affect. We must reach the world around them to create an atmosphere that simply put extinguishes the act or even the desire to Haze.
Media Contact: Britta Relyea
Email: britta@blndpr.com
Phone: 310-372-2151