Leaders Making History The Story of Two Treasured Traditions
Cannon has many treasured traditions that students look forward to each year, as well as memories our alumni look back on fondly. While I watched our Project Wrap-In come to life for the fourteenth year amidst the crazy uncertainty of a pandemic, I felt it was a moment of hope. It made me reflect on two of our cherished traditions and the alumni who put their leadership skills to the test to make their ideas a reality—Project Wrap-In and Cannon Runs for Cancer Research, more commonly known as the CR2 Run.
Sydney Ross
In 2006 Bethany Corbin ’08 had just moved to Concord and was amazed by the school’s commitment to family and community. She wanted to create a school-wide project united around these values. With a small idea and a big goal, Project Wrap-In was brought to life. Each student was called upon to bring in a gift for someone less fortunate, and the community dedicated a morning to wrap the presents—together.
“Given all of the logistics to make this event a success, I could not have done it alone. I relied on my friends and the faculty members to help and support me. Without their encouragement and guidance, the event would likely still remain a broad idea without implementation,” Bethany stated while reflecting on that first year. This year Project Wrap-In donated well over a thousand presents to numerous organizations supporting children in our community. Bethany remarked, “Project Wrap-In continues to serve as a reminder to me that even the smallest of ideas can have a large impact on the community and the lives of others. Seeing its success has given me the confidence to pursue other goals and initiatives, no matter how small they may seem at the time.” Another tradition, Cannon Runs for Cancer Research, came to life out of the hard work of Stephanie Schauder ’11 and Tim Gruber ’12. When Stephanie was seventeen, her father passed away from pancreatic cancer, and became her inspiration for the creation of the CR2 run. With the encouragement and support of Tim, the first official run became a reality on November 12, 2010, when more than 250 friends joined them as they ran fourteen miles from then-Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville to Cannon School. Reminiscing about the experience, Tim stated, “That was a day that makes my heart so happy to think back on it. I think of the support and camaraderie that was overflowing from everyone - teachers, students, and community members.” Personally, I cannot wait to see all the amazing feats of our students and alumni for years to come, and admire the advice shared by Stephanie: “Follow your passion and dream big. There is nothing that can't be done, no idea too crazy. Going through that experience of seeing a rough idea turn into a major event really empowered me and broadened my horizons to what is possible. Being young is really a great asset; you can be extremely passionate about your beliefs and just naive enough to believe that your crazy ideas are possible. In that sense, I never want to grow up.”
Bethany Corbin ’08 (bottom center) with friends, faculty, and nonprofit representatives at Cannon’s first Project Wrap-In in 2006. 30 | CANNON | Winter/Spring 2021
Tim Gruber ’12 and Stephanie Schauder ’11 talk with local news stations about Cannon Runs for Cancer Research.
Tim and Stephanie lead a group of runners back to Cannon School, escorted by state troopers.
