by Emily Shaffer, Staff Writer
At the 11th Annual Katie Westbrook Race Ipsa
Loquitor 5K Run and (now) Dog Walk, nearly 100 participants, including
students, faculty, staff, unaffiliated participants, and around 20 canine
friends, joined in the tradition. Though
registration began at 8 a.m., participants arrived with smiles on their faces
ready to support the cause. The usual
law school worries were pushed aside for the morning and participants either
ran or walked to show their support for the cause. Winners of the race included: Chris Skovira
and Chrissy Boggs in first place; John Woodruff and Rebecca Kennedy in second
place; Jake Klinvex and Carrie Spuhler in third place; and Mary Kate Serratelli
and her dog Winston with the fastest dog prize.
Another notable participant was Professor Bruce Ledewitz, who finished
the race in 25:13 minutes.
“How do you like law school?” Common answers to this inquiry
usually include a headshake, a sigh or groan, an eye roll or a grumbling about
how much work it is. Let’s face it;
attending law school is not so much about the bigger picture and changing the
world now that we are actually here. It’s all about the worry. We worry about whether we will get called on
for that case we did not read, whether taking that much-needed job will affect
our performance in school, or whether we know enough to pass the bar. We have
become so involved with our law school lives that the big picture — the
personal reasons we came here — has been moved to the back burner or has been
forgotten all together. But on Saturday, September 22, many Duquesne Law School
students found time to attend remember, and celebrate the big picture, but
taking part in a tradition at the Law School: The Katie Westbrook Race Ipsa Loquitor..
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Andy Starnes/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Katie Westbrook, like all of us in law school, dreamed of
becoming a lawyer. At the young age of 13, she saw the big picture and what
becoming a lawyer meant. But she had to
fight a battle much bigger than law school when she was diagnosed with
osteosarcoma (a rare bone cancer) before she was even old enough to graduate
high school. At 15 years old, Katie was to receive an honorary degree from
Duquesne University School of Law; however, she lost her battle before the ceremony,
leaving behind her “big picture.” Now,
through the Katie Westbrook Race Ipsa Loquitor and the SBA’s Centennial Endowed
Fund, current law students are afforded the opportunity to bring their big
picture into focus, remembering the girl in the pretty pink wig who could not.
Katie’s mother, Beth Westbrook, and her husband, Andy
Starnes, were in attendance at the race with their pug, Gracie. Mrs. Westbrook
addressed the participants with genuine words of gratitude and a reminder that
at Katie’s death she became the guardian angel of Duquesne Law School.
“When you hear that voice saying you can do a little bit
more, you can keep on trying, that voice is Katie,” Mrs. Westbrook said.
And as Duquesne third-year law student and emcee for the
event, Mike Rush, pointed out at the race, “We know Katie was here today making
sure the rain held off.”
But on Saturday, September 22, many Duquesne Law School students found time to attend, remember and celebrate the big picture, by taking part in a tradition at the Law School: The Katie Westbrook Race Ipsa Loquitor.
