Community spirit was in the air Friday at John C. Mead Elementary School at the Dragonfly Dash 5K walk and 2‑mile run in memory of Leah Rondon of Ansonia.
Leah, 6, was about to enter first grade at Mead School when she was killed last August in a traffic accident on Ford Street.
Close to 300 runners and walkers of all ages — ranging from elementary schoolchildren to their teachers and parents — took to the roads in the city’s Hilltop neighborhood.
Proceeds from the event will benefit a fund being created in Leah’s memory to be administered by the Valley Community Foundation.
Colleen McGrath Rondon, Leah’s mother, thanked participants.
“We couldn’t have done this past year without your support,” she said.
Ansonia resident Rosemarie Saleh was there with her children.
“This is a great opportunity to be involved with the community,” she said.
Ansonia seventh grader Jenna Malino said Leah was athletic.
“She did gymnastics, and she played softball and soccer,” Jenna recalled. “She was beautiful.”
Mead School teacher Missy Cook organized the event.
She called the Rondons a great family.
“People wanted to step up and remember Leah, and support the family as well,” Cook said. “Anything we can do to make them smile.”
Colleen Rondon said the community’s support the past year has been overwhelming.
“This community is amazing and we appreciate everything you’ve done,” she said.
Cook said she got the idea for a Dragonfly Dash because at Leah’s funeral a story about dragonflies in heaven was printed in the program.
“The story stuck with me,” she said.
Rondon’s brother, John McGrath, was the first runner to cross the finish line.
Derby Middle School running club members Alex Marbou, a seventh grader, and eighth grader Sabrina Hanock were the first boy and girl to finish the race.
