Henson walks 50 yards to raise money for Relay For Life

BY JESSICA CREPPS
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:07 PM CST

As the Central Rebels and the Potosi Trojans battled it out on the football field Thursday night, another battle brewed on the track. Roy Henson fought, and won, as Mother Nature threatened his 50-yard Challenge.

In September, Henson challenged area schools to participate in his 50-yard Challenge. Schools were encouraged to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Henson, whose cerebral palsy has confined him to a wheelchair for most of his life, would walk at the school that raised the most money. If he made it to 50 yards, the money would be split between the winning school and St. Francois County Relay For Life.

Thursday night, fans of all ages paced the track  watching the game and the sky as anticipation mounted.

Emily Jones and Gracie Tripp walked around the track as Potosi and Central football players braved the wet playing conditions.

Jones handed out slips of paper with information on how to vote for Henson in Qdoba Nominate a Star Contest. http://www.qdobaqmmunity.com/Nominee/id/294/Roy_Henson

Participants can vote once a day and the winning star will win $5,000 for his/her charity. Henson’s being, of course, Relay For Life.

Tripp held a colorful sign up as the girls yelled “vote for Roy”.

M’s T-shirts provided purple (Potosi) and red (Central) shirts with ‘Roy’s 50-yard Challenge’ on them for $10.

Ellen Tripp, Henson’s cousin, manned the shirt table.

“We grew up together,” she said. “I would push him (in his wheelchair) around the block when I was just high enough to see over the chair,” she laughed.

Tripp and Henson’s grandpa lost his battle to cancer in 1993.

Fans of both the football game and Henson watched as the sky changed colors.

Several sprinkles and rain showers threatened to cancel Henson’s walk throughout the game.

“I am walking unless it is pouring rain,” Henson said as a crowd gathered to wish him luck.

State Representative Linda Fisher went to school with Henson and came Thursday to cheer him on. “He was always a go-getter,” she said. “He was at every football and basketball game, always the manager. He is an extraordinary person and always has been,” she continued.

“That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that he is going to walk in this,” she said as she stood under an umbrella.

Dave Bahr, who is now St. Francois County Relay For Life Chair, also went to North County High School with Henson and Fisher.

“We used to make him push us in his chair,” Bahr said as he watched Henson roll to the start of the challenge.

“He’s one of us,” Bahr said.

Potosi Trojan fans came to Central’s side after the game. Football players kneeled in puddles of water on the field. Numerous people got their cameras, camera phones and video cameras ready as last minute preparations were under way.

Henson removed his jacket. His shoes were tied extra tight. Henson began to clap his hands with the crowd from his wheelchair before he stood up.

Tom Gibson and Dave Bahr, good friends of Henson, helped him to his feet.

Cheers and well wishes rang out from the crowd. Younger children were boosted to their parents’ shoulders for a better view.  Friends and family raced to the finish line to wait for him.

Henson stood as Gibson and Bahr held his arms.

And the race was on.

Henson was all smiles as he hurried to walk 50 yards.

Somewhere along the way, Henson’s left shoe fell off. As it was kicked to the side, Henson didn’t skip a beat.

As his sock became soaked from the wet track, he finished. Henson completed a task, two years in the making.

There were tears, laughter and cheers as fans hugged their hero.

“I am done. I did it,” Henson said as the crowd asked if there will be a third annual.

Last year, Henson first attempted to walk 50 yards to raise money for Relay,  making it only 38 yards, but raising more than $11,000 for the 2009 St. Francois County Relay For Life.

North County and Central raised $1490 together. Central graciously donated their portion back to Relay.

Henson will continue to accept donations until the 2010 Relay in July. Shirts are available for $10. Donations may be mailed to Mineral Area College, in care of Roy Henson, P.O. Box 1000, Park Hills, Missouri, 63601. You may also monitor Henson’s success at the Daily Journal’s Web site and at  http://www.myspace.com/royfor50yards .

Jessica Crepps is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. You may reach her at 573-431-2010 ext. 143 or jcrepps@dailyjournalonline.com

Archives Web Site Marketplace Obits Babies Jobs