Friends and family remember student with 5k run

Family, friends and classmates of a late University of North Dakota nursing student gathered in University Park for a 5K race in her name.

The Nicolette Wolf Leader 5K Walk/Run drew more than 75 participants to remember Wolf Leader and to raise awareness about distracted driving.

Wolf Leader, 30, died in a car accident Dec. 27 near Brookings, S.D. Police reports indicate that Wolf Leader was texting while driving.

“Nikki was always so sweet,” classmate Laura Sele said. “She was a very warm-hearted person.”

Sele ran the check-in table in the park shelter, giving runners purple “Running for Nicolette” T-shirts for a $15 donation.

Several tables were also set up in the shelter. A driving simulator was set up in the park so attendees could experience the effects of distracted driving. Other booths warned of the dangers of driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired.

One of the event’s organizers, nursing student Chantel Decoteau, was pleased with the turnout. She was friends with Wolf Leader for six years.

“We studied together, did things outside of class, like family,” Decoteau said.

According to Decoteau, the proceeds from Saturday’s event will be donated to Wolf Leader’s two children, Jamisen, 11, and Josephine, 6, for a scholarship fund.

“Education was a huge thing for her, so we wanted to set up a scholarship fund for her children,” Decoteau said. “We see this as more than just a way to help out financially, but something that Nikki would be proud of.”

Jamisen and Josephine were at the event, along with other family members from as far as Nebraska.

“It was touching to see them,” Decoteau said. “They came a long way to be here, and it was very emotional. They were very happy to see the turnout.”

With graduation looming, Decoteau and the other nursing students hope to hold a dinner fundraiser to further contribute to the scholarship funds.

“We did this as a class,” Decoteau said. “We all graduate at the end of the school year, so we’ll be all spread out after this. We hope that we can do another fundraiser for them.”

Tags: news, benefit