Louisa high school teacher runs over 40 miles out of love for her students
VENN
LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- One Louisa County teacher ran dozens of miles on Thursday to raise scholarship money for high school seniors.
Kate Fletcher is an English teacher at Louisa County High School. Her dual passions -- education and running -- came together on Thursday, April 10 during the "2025 Lion Pride Run" as she ran to benefit her beloved students.
Her efforts began at 4 a.m. outside of the high school. She then traveled her lengthy route, made a planned pit-stop at the Zion Crossroads Dunkin' Donuts, then returned to the school before the final bell.
"In total, it'll be 41 or 42 miles today [that I ran,]" Fletcher said. "I love teaching and I love running -- and this is an opportunity to combine those two passions in a way that helps the kids of Louisa County Public Schools."
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
In her nine years of running the Lion Pride Run, Fletcher has raised over $100,000 in scholarship money for Louisa County High School seniors. The tradition began in 2016.
Fletcher said that it's her supporters who kept her going during this year's run..
"I was dragging a little bit, especially coming into town," she said. "And then, when I came around the corner -- and I saw everybody, and the band was playing and the cheerleaders were jumping around, and my whole third block class [was] here with posters ..."
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
The 2025 Lion Pride Run with Louisa County High School English teacher Kate Fletcher. (Photos: Louisa County Public Schools)
8News spoke to Louisa County High School senior Isaiah Holland, who praised Fletcher for her dedication to this cause.
"I definitely get inspired by Miss Fletcher because she's not one to be like, 'Oh, I'm scared to do this,'" Holland said. "No, she's like, 'I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna be that person. I'm gonna make an impact all the way.'"
