Running With a Reason
By Abby Emmons Sugg
September 6, 2024
Emma Kate’s Journey with Victory Junction
Each year, our annual Run to Victory 5K brings together a diverse group of runners, walkers, and supporters, each with their own unique story and connection to Victory Junction. From first-time participants to seasoned veterans, everyone comes together with a shared purpose: to celebrate, support, and uplift the incredible children and families we serve. It’s a day filled with inspiration and community spirit, where every step taken is a step toward making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Meet Emma Kate Harrelson, one of our annual participants in our 5K and Fun Run, known as Run to Victory. She first heard about Victory Junction back in 2012, when her dance teacher mentioned the annual 5K and that she would enjoy the experience. She participated in her first Run to Victory in 2014 at 9 years old and she says that she “instantly fell in love”.
Emma Kate was involved in Princess of North Carolina, a pageant system that solely raises money for Victory Junction. In 2017, she was crowned the Junior Miss Princess of North Carolina. During that year, she traveled the state of North Carolina to spread awareness and raise money for Victory Junction.
The following year, she was crowned Royal Miss Princess of North Carolina and served as a mentor to the newly crowned court. She then continued to raise money for VJ, as she calls her “favorite place on earth”, during the years 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Unfortunately, Emma Kate’s older brother, Noah, passed away in 2019. Emma Kate had taken her brother to Run to Victory the previous year in 2018, where he saw Victory Junction for the very first time. Just like his sister, Noah also fell in love with Camp and the positive energy that radiates from every current and past camper. Her brother’s passing inspired Emma Kate to begin a team at Run to Victory, known as “Team Noah Bean”. Ever since the team began, she has been captain of the group in the annual 5K.
Emma Kate began her first year of college in the fall of 2023 at East Carolina University where she is studying to become a recreational therapist. She says, “I genuinely give all of the credit to Victory Junction, all the staff and campers that I have connected with over the years, which led me to want to be a recreational therapist.” Emma Kate has been inspired by Victory Junction and the mission of Camp to achieve her dream career.
Emma Kate Harrelson is one of those participants whose journey is deeply intertwined with the mission of Victory Junction. Emma’s reason for running in Run to Victory has always been for the campers and their families. She says, “If I was given the opportunity to make the slightest difference in someone’s life, I will always take that chance.” We are inspired by Emma Kate’s story and the reason that she runs each year. We hope that stories like Emma Kate’s inspires others to join her and Team Noah Bean by running, walking, rolling, or simply cheering on to help provide extraordinary camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions.
