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FLC alumni help Native high school students experience the Boston Marathon
Five Native high school students will travel to Boston this April with the opportunity of a lifetime—to witness one of the world’s most prestigious marathons and run alongside thousands of international athletes.
Five Native high school students will travel to Boston this April with the opportunity of a lifetime—to witness one of the world’s most prestigious marathons and run alongside thousands of international athletes.
Five Native high school students will travel to Boston this April for a rare opportunity—to witness one of the world’s most prestigious marathons and run alongside thousands of international athletes.
Fort Lewis College alumni Sky Izzo (Diné) and Hosava Kretzmann (Hopi Tribe and Diné) are helping them take flight. They are serving as charity runners, mentors, and chaperones. They have also volunteered to raise funds to cover the students’ travel expenses.
Izzo (Biology, ’14) and Kretzmann (Public Health, ’18) are running as part of the Boston Pursuit Program, an initiative by Wings of America that brings Native high school juniors to Boston during marathon weekend, April 16-22, 2025. The program’s mission is to “build healthy Native communities using youth running initiatives.”
Supporting Native youth through running
Both alumni are accomplished runners with extensive experience in distance running. Izzo, a Shiprock Marathon champion, earned All-American honors while competing for Diné College before transferring to FLC. Kretzmann, a Hopi runner and doctoral student at Northern Arizona University, placed sixth at the 2023 Los Angeles Marathon, finishing as the first American in the elite field.
For Kretzmann, running is deeply tied to his Hopi heritage.
“Running is really based around our lifestyle,” he said. “Hopi are traditionally farmers, and it was common to run miles to your plot of land, take care of your crops, and then run back home.”
Beyond Boston, Kretzmann is training to qualify for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials and sees the Boston Pursuit Program as an opportunity to support Native students.
“It’s great to do this race because it reflects what we’re trying to promote—inspiring the next generation of Native runners,” he said.
Izzo, who has used running as a personal tool for resilience and growth, hopes the students gain the same sense of empowerment.
“For me, running has always been about mental health,” she said. “Anytime I felt lost or stressed, I knew it was time to go for a run. Running helps with mindfulness, proves to yourself you can do hard things, and just makes life better.”
Izzo is recovering from a hamstring injury but remains optimistic about the race.
“I’ve heard that marathon runners and fans are incredibly supportive,” she said. “There will always be someone there to encourage you, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
During the trip, the students will attend a tour with the Harvard University Native American Program and a tour at the Harvard Peabody Museum. They will attend the Rising Hearts program to meet other Native runners and will meet with current Native students and staff from MIT and Northeastern University. They will also have the opportunity to see a baseball game at Fenway Park and run in the Boston Athletic Association 5k race, which attracts 10,000 international runners every year.
Learn more about the Boston Pursuit Program and Wings of America at wingsofamerica.org. To contribute to these efforts, donate here.