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Strides for Shannon Gives New Hope

By: Julianne Touhy

The 3rd Annual Strides for Shannon took place April 11th in B Parking Lot at Quincy University. The ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi took on the duty of running the event this year in order to honor their sister, Shannon Peters.

In January of 2013, life changed forever for Shannon Peters when she was hit by a car crossing Chestnut St from the freshman dorms to D lot of Quincy University. She had a severe brain injury and the doctors were not hopeful for her recovery.  She began to fight for her life, and that is when the first annual Strides for Shannon was thought of.  Hospital bills began to pile up for the Peters family as Shannon fought to recover, and the women of the National Panahellenic Association wanted to help their family.  The First Annual Strides for Shannon took place in April of 2013 and raised over five thousand dollars to go to the Peters family. Strides for Shannon is a 5k color run and a mile fun walk.

The Second Annual Strides for Shannon happened in April of 2014 and was a healing process for he QU community. Shannon showed up and actually walked the event.  This year was the Third  Annual Strides for Shannon, and Alpha Omicron Pi took on the responsible because they thought the community was still healing from this tragedy.  Shannon showed up again, a lot more healthy and in good spirits. She laughed with the girls and enchanted them with spells with her wand she received from Universal. She even went as far as to get on the microphone and thank everyone so much for being there.

“Thank you. Thank You. Thank You.” she said as she bought people to tears. “She’s are miracle.” said Ashley Cahill, Western Illinois student who witnessed the crash and was very good friends with Shannon. She truly is a miracle.