NAIA/Red Cross Leadership Summitt Student-Athlete

By Bethany Atchison - JU Student Writer

Some of us worship God through our music, with a prayer on every resonant strum of guitar strings. Some of us paint - a watercolor that swiftly stains a blank canvas like the gospel heard by a thirsty heart. Some of us stand before a congregation and prove that mere recitation can be transformed into a holy soliloquy of words that can make broken and make healed, without fail, every Sunday . . . And some of us run. Stephanie Belokon, one of this month's featured athletes, is just one of those people. "We're a light," Stephanie told me. "And you can show that light even when you run."

I was lucky enough to secure an interview with the Education major preparing for graduation in just under two years while also maintaining a position on the Ohio Hall RA team. About halfway through the interview, I asked in awe how she was able to balance all of her involvements. "You do what you gotta do!" she responded laughingly. What with her drive to expand the classic role of the RA to become an everyday mentor to her third floor girls, her developing career as an ESL teacher for children, a position on the presidential search committee, an ambition to minister abroad, and her new work for the Red Cross, Stephanie confessed that with how busy she finds herself, a midseason injury can become a sort of blessing. Though developing bursitis this semester - which is an overuse injury in the knee - has been a frustration for preventing her from running with her team, it has also been a lesson in prioritizing. "God really teaches you with injuries," Stephanie insisted: by being forced to sit one out, God is able to remind you who is number one. While she's healing, Stephanie is devoting her time to encouraging her teammates and focusing on the other exciting opportunities in her life.

One of those opportunities came in the form of a missions trip to Denver, Colorado in the spring of 2011. Though Stephanie considered it an eye-opening and "scary" experience, she remarked assuredly that she would love to go back. "I learned a lot there," she said of her trip. Traveling in general is a passion of Stephanie's. "I love people from other cultures!" she exclaimed when I asked her to talk about her hope to be an ESL teacher. Though she's considering work abroad, possibly on a military base, she said she's open to God's plans: "We'll see where he takes me." Stephanie was inspired to teach after forming relationships with some of her teachers, and even cited Mrs. McKeever (the wife of Judson's very own Dr. McKeever) as a mentor. Stephanie has enjoyed most particularly her work for Casa de Luz, an organization for bilingual youth set in place as a practicum by her advisor, Professor Starzynski. Of the Education program, Stephanie had the highest compliments: "They put you in schools right away, and really prepare you." Stephanie will likely stay on as a volunteer for Casa de Luz.

In regards to her time on the Judson University Women's Cross Country team, Stephanie talked about how much things have improved since her freshman year. The team itself nearly doubled in size, which "changed things dramatically." Coach Joel Cotton has given the girls a new energy, and Stephanie noted that with the team finally getting voted to rank in the Top 25 in NAIA, "all our work has paid off!" Though Stephanie originally planned to go to school out-of-state, she felt certain that "God wanted me here." With amazing experiences on Judson's exceptional team and the growth offered by a diverse campus, Stephanie can't help but believe that she's here for a reason: "It's amazing to think that I was supposed to run fast in high school, so I could afford to come here, and get involved."

One of her most passionate involvements has been her work with the Red Cross. Stephanie was given the chance to go to Washington D.C. this summer to learn more about the work the Red Cross is doing. "It was the coolest thing I've ever done!" Stephanie said with excitement that because of her time there, now she gets the chance to serve on the board of directors, and host blood drives on Judson's campus. The first blood drive happened this fall, and was a big success. "Each donation saved three lives!" Each life saved was done with the support of the students, and the overall experience was "exhilarating." The next blood drive will be in January, and will be extended to two days instead of just one. Though Stephanie hopes her efforts can result in funding for a Red Cross Club in the future, she's directing her energy now on getting more donors for the spring semester. Along with her Red Cross work, Stephanie likes to hang out with her friends, enjoys making art (modge podge and decopage are her favorite activities) and, always, running.

Stephanie was quick to name those that supported her most throughout her time as a runner, like her father - Larry Belokon, also a runner - and her mother - Scharlet Belokon, a statue of support. Among those who inspired her, Stephanie listed her younger sister: 17-year-old Alexandria, who, after sustaining several injuries of her own, is a lesson in the importance of perseverance in the face of obstacles. Also cited as an important influence was her friend Kristina Aubert; currently a runner for Arkansas State, Kristina taught Stephanie throughout their time together on the cross country team in high school about the value of "running for Christ." This attitude molded Stephanie's own way of thinking about her sport: "You can show the love of Christ when you run," she said confidently. "And God blesses you when you chase after him."