by Steve Mitchell
Since 2010 a core group of Seth Mitchell’s friends from Loveland High School’s class of ’97, have hosted the Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5k in Loveland. Like many high schoolers, Seth participated in sports, club activities and was the Senior Class president along with being voted “Mr. Personality” by the class of ‘97.
He later achieved the rank of Captain in the Marine Corp where he served two tours in Iraq, one as an infantryman and piloted a Cobra Helicopter during his second tour of Iraq in addition to his last tour of Afghanistan.
After Seth was killed in a mid-air collision in October 2009, Seth’s friends started the Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5K and the scholarships to honor and remember their friend.
Many of you have participated in the 5K and proceeds from the annual 5K go to fund scholarships in Seth’s memory.
The scholarship committee includes Damien Cook, Marisa Sobb, Mollie Emerick, Greg Carpinello and myself and his mother Connie. The committee seeks to find the LHS senior that reminds them most of Seth. While academic performance is considered, they look mostly for: “did he or she remind us of Seth”?
The committee looks for students that are hard workers, not afraid to set goals, experience some failure and overcome obstacles in their life. These are things witnessed in Seth. Other things that were known about Seth and looked for in scholarship recipients are: loyalty to friends, kindness, selflessness and the desire to serve others. Like Seth, the 2024 recipients are typical high school kids that like to be involved and have a lot of fun.
Since 2010 the Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarships have totaled over $110,000, providing recipients a solid financial start for their post high school life. For 2024 The Seth Mitchell Memorial scholarship fund awarded two $5,000 scholarships. In addition, the Mitchell Family partners with the Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Foundation and provided an additional $5,000 scholarship.
Recipients of the 2024 Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship are Maura Johnson and Elena Plante
The recipient of the 2024 Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarship is Gabby Saletta
Lastly, the committee presented the following students with a $500.00 Memorial scholarship for 2024:
- Ian Richards
- Reagan Dell
- Amelia Macura
- Brady Burns
Thank you for your continued support through donations and participation in the effort to “Never Forget Seth” and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. We look forward to seeing you in October for the 15th Annual Captain Seth Mitchell Hero 5K, scheduled for October 5th at 10 AM at the Linda Cox Trailside Parking Lot. The 2024 Carolina Beach Seth Mitchell Hero 5k is October 12, at 9 AM, at Harbour Point in Carolina Beach NC.
Steve Mitchell is the Father of Captain Seth Mitchell
Please visit: www.sethmitchellhero5k.org for more information and to register for this year’s Hero 5K.
