Each year for the last several years, the Memorial Day activities in Ironton begin with a 5K race.

The proceeds from that race are used to pay a full year’s tuition to Ohio University Southern for two students. The recipients of the scholarship must either be a veteran or the family member of a veteran.

Last week the Veterans Memorial 5K Race Committee awarded scholarships to Hali Nicely, 18, a South Point High School graduate and a first-year nursing student as well as Joshua Ison, 19, a Rock Hill High School graduate and a second-year business management major.

Race committee chairman Kevin McCown said each scholarship is worth more than $4,400.

Race committee member Dave Swartzwelder said he is pleased to be able to help these two children of veterans fund their higher education.

“It makes me feel good to know that all the work we do, this is what it goes for,” Swartzwelder said.

Nicely’s father was in the National Guard; Ison’s father was in the Air Force and his grandfather was in the Army.

Swartzwelder said the race continues to grow every year, with more people making that 8 a.m. run.

The first year 60 people participated. He said this year there were 465 runners lining up for the race.