Last month, the Sagamore Red Hawks, the Samoset Eagles and the Seneca Yellow Jackets participated in the inaugural Dezy Strong Cross-Country Run at Sachem High School North.

The event honored the late Matt “Dezy” DiStefano, his family and the Dezy Strong Foundation. Matt was a proud teacher and coach in the Sachem Central School District who battled every day until the very end. His motto, “We Get To,” has inspired the entire Sachem community as well as other districts throughout Long Island.

“Having Matt’s family in attendance and honoring them was very special,” race coordinator and Samoset teacher and coach Jimmy Byrne said. “Matt was pumped when I told him my idea a few weeks before he passed.”