Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive

By Ian Swaby
| 1:40 p.m. January 11, 2026

Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Stacey Monroe says as a member of local running clubs, she knows many of the hundreds of people by name who turned out for the 13th Annual Andrew Monroe Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk.

“It makes me proud. It makes me very proud,” she said of how the event, held on Siesta Key Beach Jan. 11 in honor of her son, has grown since its founding.

One of the attendees was Charlie Roberts, who has been supporting the event for years and had the chance to coach and referee Andrew.

He recalled him as “super-friendly, super-committed, just a great all-around kid,” stating his son Trevor Roberts, a teammate, was very fond of him as well.

“It's an important function,” Roberts said of the race. “It keeps his name alive and brings money to great causes. So it's a wonderful event.”

The goal of the event is to raise funds for a higher education that Andrew, who died in a car crash in 2011, did not have the chance to complete.

It provides scholarships to seniors at Riverview High School, where Andrew played soccer, to benefit soccer players, JROTC cadets and track athletes.

Monroe said the funds raised in the race offer anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000 in scholarships, and the leftover funds go to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which also offers scholarships in Andrew's name.

Participant Olivia Rosenthal, a 12th grader who plays soccer at Riverview High School, said she knows firsthand the challenges of finding ways to pay for school, so she appreciates the event.

“I just think it's really valuable, because as a fellow senior, I'm also trying to get scholarships for college, so it's nice that I can contribute to an event that's going towards charity, and I know by participating, I'm helping other students get their college paid for," she said.

Kathy Hargreaves, Debra Riva, Charlie Roberts, John Hargreaves, Russa Vega, Kevin McQuaid and Samantha Wirks gather on the beach.

1st Lt. Max Fields, Lt. Col. Jaslyn Delgado, Major Emma Chivers and Sgt. Karma Sosa, of Riverview High School JROTC, served as the color guard.

Overall first place winner and overall second place winner Alexis Giraudineau and Sebastian Kovendy head out for a start.

Stacey Monroe makes an announcement as the event begins.

Stacey Monroe gives a high five to Alexander Wordsworth.

First place female winner and fifth place overall winner Sage Lyons approaches the finish line.

Pamela Kurpiewski approaches the finish line.

Stacey Monroe slaps hands with Rob Loeffler of Manasota Track Club.

Gianni Vetri and Danielle Haarer race across the sands.

Stacey Monroe slaps hands with Louisa Tiriobo and Caitlin Lawless.

Thomas Lewis showed some patriotic colors during the run.

Danny and Marie Withers enjoyed supporting the race.

Riverview High School seniors Pep Sinjorgo, Joshua Coelho and Gilbert Drummond came from the school's soccer team.

Ninth graders Nadia Le, Macy Decker and Lynn Morales, tenth grader Harper Kelly and 12th grader Olivia Rosenthal came from Riverview High School's soccer team.

Runners Audrey Symowicz and Rob Ashodian, and volunteer Andrea Capek, enjoyed supporting the event.

Kyle DeMent and his friend Emma McIntyre, enjoyed supporting the event.

Brandon Ambrosia of JDB Logistics, an event sponsor, walks his son Sebastian Ambrosia, 1.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.