Run For Students

As a poetry teacher, I think in metaphors all the time. A pencil, for example, is not just graphite and wood. It can be the most powerful and influential tool in the world if you use it well. I think this way about exercise too. So, when I heard about the Goggins (ultramarathon) Challenge I didn’t think about my feet hurting or lungs exploding. I thought about it as a metaphor for students who are at the starting line of their educational journey.

Their goal is to graduate. My goal was to run four miles every four hours for 48 hours with about an hour of sleep between runs. While it would be grueling, I knew it would elevate my empathy for our students, which fueled my desire to complete it.

Let me back up a bit. Two years ago, I raised money for a homeless student and donated the remainder to the MJC Foundation to help create a micro-grant program where faculty could directly help students with financial needs. What we soon realized is that the money was important, but it was the feeling of compassion and concern that students felt that propelled them to the finish line. 

So, when David Goggins—the endurance athlete and former Navy Seal—suggested we run his challenge for charity, I knew what I had to do: Run For Students.

To my surprise, when the run started, one of the people who joined me was a tall young man in a long white t-shirt and basketball shorts. He had a thin mustache and a kind voice: “Mr. Pierstorff? Remember me? I was in your class five years ago.” His name was Daniel – and he tells his story here. 

Students like Daniel were the reason I was running. Daniel grew up with a lot of hardships, but he was able to transfer to the University of California to become the first in his family to finish a degree. MJC made that happen, and he was so appreciative that he wanted to run to show us the support we had shown him.

As we ran, Daniel’s cheering section grew, culminating at the finish line with noise-makers and loud applause. The symbolism was overwhelming. 

With the help of Daniel, fellow English professor, Optimism One and community members who intermittently joined us — including George Boodrookas! — we raised over $20,000 for the MJC Micro-Grant Program. But we did more than that. We raised awareness. We lifted spirits. We challenged ourselves to do something that seemed impossible, but became possible. 

What I have always known as a professor at MJC is that our students’ success is our success. We love to brag about our amazing alumni and revel in their accomplishments. But after 20 years, I understand more than ever that if their success is our success, then their adversity is also our adversity, and we have to do everything we can to help.

- Sam Pierstorff