Our School

St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury held their annual event, Walk in Their Footsteps -- Race for Awareness, on Saturday, October 19. Runners and walkers of all ages chose to take on a 2.5-mile WALK or 5K RACE.  Holy Cross High School, a proud sponsor of this event, saw one of its students, Reagan Zupkus ’26 emerge as the overall female winner of the 5K race.

Reagan's love for running began as a sixth-grade student, and it grew into a passion that she perfected throughout her school years. She first became aware of this event through her church. She had always wanted to run a 5K and saw this as a great opportunity. She and her parents decided to participate. She ran. They walked.

“I am active on Holy Cross’s cross-country team,” she said. “I had already been running since the beginning of school. I used that as my training for the 5K.”

“(Reagan) was so inspirational and supportive to the other runners,” said Francine Nido, Development Coordinator for St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury. “I could tell there was something special about her. When I heard she was from Holy Cross, I thought, oh, that makes sense.”

This isn’t the first success Reagan has achieved this season. In mid-October, she along with Holy Cross’s cross country team took home an NVL Championship. “I am glad that we got it this year. As a team, we are all there for each other. We all have something in common. That allows to get close as friends. There is definitely more pressure when you run as an individual.”

St. Vincent DePaul has seen countless runners and walkers participate in Walk in Their Footsteps -- Race for Awareness, since its inception fifteen years ago. The WALK route passes through the Thrift Store, Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry, and Shelter. It offers a first-hand look at the programs operated by the Mission of Waterbury in response to the reality of poverty experienced by many people in the Waterbury community.

“It was a wonderful event said,” said Francine. “We are truly blessed that Holy Cross High School and its’ students support so many of our endeavors.