Sunday, October 13, 2002

Book nook a way for Huddleston students to remember their friend

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

A little part of Alex Sudduth lives on in a special nook of the media center at Huddleston Elementary.

The nook features a big plush sofa and a cuddly stuffed gorilla. Oh, and $4,600 in books purchased with the proceeds from an April "fun run" the students held in Alex's honor.

The area allows the children to remember Alex, who died over a year ago of leukemia. So does the run, which will be held again April 19, 2003.

The books are checked out often because they are fun to read, according to library staff. Each book features a label with a purple ribbon on the binding reminding the students of Alex.

Alex's mom, Stephanie, teaches at Huddleston and is still approached by students who want to talk about Alex. She doesn't mind a bit.

Before the fun run, for example, "I had kids coming up to me and saying, 'I'm going to run for Alex.'" Sudduth said. "They were so enthusiastic about it."

Mrs. Sudduth said she wanted the funds from the fun run to benefit the kids for their efforts and the local community, "the people who supported us."

Next year's fun run is slated for April 19 and sponsors are needed, Sudduth said.

More information on the event is available at www.geocities.com/alexsudduthlegacy/runforalex.



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