Neither foggy skies nor threat of rain kept runners, walkers, and strollers away from the 2024 Regatta Run, held on October 20.
More than 750 participated in this year’s event, a fundraiser earning more than $60,000 to benefit the youth of Tualatin. This year’s Run had a huge fun factor, with more than 20 volunteers costumed as inflatable characters cheering on entrants. Presented by the Rotary Club of Tualatin in partnership with the City of Tualatin, the Regatta Run was a 5K trek through Community Park, Durham Park, and Cook Park.
Net proceeds from the Regatta Run will support Tualatin Rotary’s scholarship program, as well as other opportunities for school-aged youth in our community. Scholarships to first-generation college students from Tualatin are the main program funded by the Run.
To qualify, high school juniors must demonstrate family need, a record of service to the community, and potential for future success. Scholarship recipients receive $5,000 each academic year and are paired with a mentor from Rotary, who provides support and advice to the students to help keep them on a path to achievement.
This year, Rotary selected Lalie Carter and Genesis Archila from the Tualatin High School Class of 2025 as the first-generation scholarship recipients. In addition to seven students receiving Matthew Lembke Service Above Self Scholarships, Jimena Ortiz Albanian and Wyatt Ell will receive $1,500 scholarships, and Ryder Eaton will receive the $5,000 Applied/Technical scholarship to support his aviation studies.
This new scholarship program is offered by Tualatin Rotary to students in fields of study requiring specialized equipment, supplies, licenses, or training and is specifically aimed at low-income students receiving Oregon community college scholarships to supplement their educational needs.
The Run also supports Books on Wheels, which gives away free books to youth at community events. Rotary gave away more than 500 books to young readers, as well as treat bags full of goodies given to kids in our fun run.
The Regatta Run was founded in memory of Marine Corporal Matthew Lembke, a 2005 graduate of Tualatin High School who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan. His sacrifice and service have inspired us to support youth and their future potential. More than $227,000 in scholarships were awarded in Matt’s name over the event’s first decade.
Missed out on participating this year? It’s not too late to support Rotary’s youth programs and scholarships. Make a donation at regattarun.com/scholarships, or contact Marlow Hornberger at mhorn001@gmail.com to sponsor the 2025 Regatta Run, returning next October.
Or, join us at our weekly Rotary meeting! Learn more at tualatinrotary.org.
The Rotary Club of Tualatin thanks all our volunteers and participants, with a special thanks to our sponsors:Title Partners: Edward Jones, Douglas Klein DDS; Major Partner: TransPak; Platinum Level Partners: KadMark Print & Embroidery, Tualatin AutoBody, A&R Solar, JAE, Republic Services, Nortek Air Solutions; Gold Level Partners: Cross Financial Management, Robert Kellogg Attorney, kai USA, Cascade Coil Drapery, Bellagios Pizza, A Group Real Estate, Road Runner Sports, Pacific Office Automation, Therapeutic Associates, Route 26 Electrical Inc., YouthVillages, Culsaw and Company, Oltean Construction, Hunt Painting, Thad Metzger Construction, Tualatin Life, Rick & Colleen Matthias, Marlow & Denice Hornberger, and Marja Holmes.
