Braswell

Runners begin the Baron P. Braswell II Run Against Teen Violence yesterday at Courtland High School. Proceeds from the 5-k run go to a scholarship in the name of the slain Courtland High athlete.

Race commemorates Braswell's life and raises awareness of teen violence

Date published: 9/30/2007

BY BEN SELLERS

Though distance running wasn't his specialty, Baron P. "Deuce" Braswell II would have enjoyed his 18th-birthday party yesterday, said his 12-year-old brother, Zach.

"He liked to run sprints--he'd run long-range, but he was a sprinter."

About 200 runners turned out for the second annual Run Against Teen Violence at Courtland High School, commemorating the life of Baron Braswell. Proceeds went to a memorial scholarship fund in his name.

Braswell, who played football and participated in track and field at Courtland, was fatally stabbed while at a dance party in January 2006. For his family, the 5-k run/walk and one-mile youth run seemed fitting tributes to the athlete.

Baron Braswell Sr. said his son's love of sports--along with his mental and spiritual pursuits--played an important part in his life and legacy. "You've gotta be a complete package," he said.

Another important focus of the day was getting younger children involved, said Gwen Braswell-Nash, Baron's mother and one of the event's main organizers.

"We want kids from an early age to learn anti-teen-violence," she said. "I'm hoping they'll take that message home and preach that [message of] anti-teen-violence."

Others had varied reasons for participating in the race.

Susan Nemes, who came with her son Aaron, said her family had just moved to Spotsylvania at the time of Braswell's death. "[Aaron] plays football for Riverbend, and it just made an impression on us."

Aaron Nemes was set on enjoying the 5-k race. "I'm just gonna run it for fun," he said.

However, Spotsylvania High School sophomore Will Stevens had his mind on the finish line. The relatively flat course and perfect running conditions gave the cross country runner a chance to set a personal record of just under 19 minutes. "It was a good time to get a [personal record]," said Stevens.

Yesterday's program also included an array of speakers and performances.

Representatives and guest speakers from Pratt Medical Center--one of the event's primary sponsors--came to promote healthy lifestyles, said spokesman and family physician Raymund Banzon.

Seeing victims of teen violence pass through Pratt's doors has had a great impact on its staff, said Banzon. "For many of the core physicians at Pratt, we've just seen the community suffer horrible losses and thought it was necessary" to get involved.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff Howard Smith, the keynote speaker, came to address how county law enforcement was working to prevent teen violence, including placing cameras in schools and linking them to police patrol cars.

Smith also offered parents advice for how to protect their families from teen violence. "Get them involved in some supervised afternoon activities," he said.

He credited the Braswells for their efforts at raising awareness. "They are truly role models of someone that's been a victim of violence and turned it into a positive."

Ben Sellers: 540/374-5423
Email: bsellers@freelancestar.com

Date published: 9/30/2007