Students and staff at Tallwood High School will cut the ribbon on a new and improved $145,000 track on Friday, October 5, at 6:30 p.m. prior to the school’s homecoming game. The track is dedicated to the memory of Pam Edwards, a 1999 Tallwood graduate and two-time state indoor/outdoor track champion. Enhancements to the track were funded by a donation from Pam’s family – parents Dan and Sue Edwards and brother Billy Edwards- through the Virginia Beach Public Schools Education Foundation.

“Pam was co-valedictorian of her class and an accomplished cellist, but her passion was running,” said Dan Edwards. “It is only fitting that we honor her memory with a track for other young athletes who share her love of running.”

As a student at Tallwood, Pam Edwards won numerous eastern region titles in cross country and track and two state championships in the 3200 meter race. She competed against some of the nation’s best runners at the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania, taking third place in the 3,000 meter race. She went on to attend Wake Forest University on an athletic scholarship and was studying for her doctorate at University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School at the time of her death.

“Our students and staff are grateful that the Edwards family has chosen to remember Pam with a donation to our school,” said Jobynia Caldwell, principal of Tallwood High School. “Pam’s passion will live on through the thousands of students who will make use of this track in the years to come.”

The track features a synthetic, rubberized surface similar to those used at colleges and universities across the country. It makes Tallwood an ideal location for hosting district, regional, and state track and field competitions in the future.

For additional information about the track or ribbon-cutting ceremony, contact Christine Anderson, Tallwood High School student activities coordinator, at 474-8555 or by e-mail at Christine.anderson@vbschools.com.