AUBURN, Ala. — Loving God, Loving People…

Sarah Anderson lived by that motto and radiated it to everyone she came in contact with before her life was tragically cut short by a car accident on November 10, 2009.

And even though Sarah, 19, a Baldwin County native and a 2008 Robertsdale High School graduate, is no longer with us, her warm spirit continues to inspire and touch the lives of those she knew.

And as a tribute to her legacy and memory, her friends and fellow classmates at Auburn University and members of Kappa Kappa Psi-Pi chapter (National Honorary Band Service Fraternity) are hosting the 2nd Annual Live…Laugh…Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, April 9 at Auburn University.

With a 3.1 mile course winding through the AU campus, the race begins at 9 a.m. with registration at 8 a.m. Pre-registration fee is $17 before April 6 and $20 on race day. The fee includes an ocean blue t-shirt available to all race participants. Awards will be given at 10 a.m.

All proceeds from the race will go toward the Sarah Darelle Anderson Memorial Scholarship and Richard Martin, secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi-Pi, said they are expecting 150 participants for the race. Their goal is $25,000 and they are halfway there already.

To register for the race or to donate to the scholarship fund, go to kkpsipi.org/5k. Donations can be made through pay pal or can be mailed to Kappa Kappa Psi, 132 Goodwin Hall, Auburn, Al 36849. Checks should be made payable to the AU Foundation and earmarked for the Sarah Anderson Scholarship Fund or can be made online at develop.auburn.edu.

Last year’s race raised $7,000 and Kappa Kappa Psi has had various other fundraisers during the year to raise money, said Linda Anderson, Sarah’s mom. Participation in the race is not required to order a t-shirt ($17- cash only) and Anderson said she would be taking orders until Tuesday, April 5. Sizes are adult S-XL and can be ordered by contacting Anderson at (251) 422-1792 or by email: dasarlin@mediacombb.net. Anderson said the shirts will be hand-delivered after the race.

“There are so many people who have supported this effort. We are so blessed to have a community and a college who loved Sarah and are willing to keep her memory alive. We realize how special this is that her name will live on and benefit others,” Anderson said.

The scholarship for Anderson, who played flute and piccolo in the AU Marching and Symphonic Band and was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, was established as an endowment which requires a goal of $25,000 to continue yearly.

Mary Baird, Director of Development for AU’s College of Liberal Arts, said to be considered for the scholarship, the student must play the flute and be a resident of Baldwin County. If a flutist cannot be found, the scholarship will be awarded to another qualified student in the AU Marching Band. They must have a minimum G.P.A.. (grade point average) of 3.0 for entering freshmen or 2.5 for returning musicians on a 4.0 scale. They must demonstrate financial need as verified by the Office of Financial Aid.

“It’s the Andeson’s intent that a qualified recipient will share the same positive attitude and love for life that Sarah demonstrated, as well as the ideals and success goals consistent with Kappa Kappa Psi,” Baird said.

The scholarship will be given out yearly and the amount is determined by the Band/Performance/Vocal Scholarship Committee and be limited to funds available. Each recipient shall be selected by the Sarah Darelle Anderson Scholarship Committee and will be subject to review by the Office of University Scholarships. Interested students should complete and submit an application to the Kappa Kappa Psi Scholarship Committee and it will be reviewed. Three candidates will be nominated and have an interview and audition before a panel. Then the Director of Bands will select the recipient.

“We have five years to reach our goal of $25,000 and we have had several fundraisers and concerts to raise the money. We are not going to let Sarah’s memory die because she was such a special person. I never saw her without a smile and she was never unhappy. Her death really had a major effect on the band and we just want to do what we can to keep her memory alive,:” said Dr. Rick Good, Director of Bands for Auburn University.

Getting to know Anderson in her senior year at RHS, Good said she was a bright spot in the band and had the honor of being one of the pallbearers for her funeral. “That was such a humbling experience for me. We took buses of students down to Sarah’s funeral and her family is so special to us and the band members. They have a tremendous amount of faith and are such strong people. I consider our 400 band students a family and we all loved Sarah so much. She is greatly missed.”

This year’s $500 scholarship recipient, Jerald Crook, a 2008 Baldwin County High School graduate, was awarded the scholarship for the Spring semester and was honored at the post band banquet after AU won the National Championship in Glendale, Arizona, Good said.

“I knew immediately that Jerald was the right guy for the scholarship when I met him. He shared the same positive attitude that Sarah had and even knew her. I have no doubt we made the right choice,” Good said.

In a letter to Anderson’s family, Crook recalled his shock at being awarded the scholarship. and “recognizing me as the recipient of an award that was derived from the life and legacy of one truly amazing person, your daughter and sister, Sarah Darelle Anderson. It was just three years ago, when towards the end of my senior year as drum major at BCHS, I first ‘met’ Sarah when she was doing what she did best, wowing and impressing people with her charm and intellect having been awarded the same scholarships as I had from the TAV Foundation and the Baldwin County Auburn Club.”

Crook met Anderson again when he showed up at band camp at AU and she was there as well. “One thing I remember vividly about those days is a laugh so clear and unique that it always stood out from a crowd and if you caught it at the right time it would always be accompanied by one of the brightest smiles this side of heaven….Sarah has managed to remain with us through spirit, legacy, expressions of love and the enacting of gracious and kind deeds. This is what the Sarah Darelle Anderson Memorial Scholarship embodies for me and I’m so blessed to have been considered as a candidate for such a prestigious award. I will strive to always uphold the ideals and characteristics that such an award calls for and I thank you for the opportunity to take on such a task.”

The AU Band Staff also had kind words for Anderson in her passing.” Sarah Anderson was the epitome of the Auburn band student-dedicated, hardworking, self-motivated. She always maintained a positive attitude not matter what the situation. Smiles always brightened her face, just as she brightened the lives of everyone around her. She will be greatly missed.”