Teen motorcycle racer honored for her community service in Concord
CONCORD, CA (August 1, 2024) — Recently, Soroptimist International of 24/680 honored Hailey Thompson with their Violet Richardson award for her community service with Remix Racing.
This award recognizes young women ages 14-18 for exceptional community service. As a volunteer service organization, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women’s volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital, active members of the community.
At 17 years old, Hailey serves as the Program Director and Youth Ambassador of the Remix Racing project in Concord. This nonprofit organization fights mental health and addiction stigma by raising awareness, smashing stereotypes and creating brave spaces. They wish to show people that stereotypes have no power, and you can fight against stigma.
As the Youth Ambassador in this organization, Hailey shares the teen outreach program with other youth by telling her story. She inspires other teens who feel hopeless, confused, or lost to take pride in their mental health. She also tells them to chase their dreams no matter how big or small. So far, the Remix Racing project has impacted over 2,500 people during their first year and will continue to see how many hearts can be touched.
Motorbike racer
Hailey grew up in a reality where many things were broken. At the age of 10 her mom was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and her father was abusive. For the first 14 years of her life she felt alone, incapable, unlovable, and unwanted, which left her very depressed. Although her family knew she wanted the to follow her brother as a motorbike racer, she was taught that society doesn’t believe in girls riding or racing.
Fortunately, in 2021, her mom finally let Hailey ride her first motorbike. They would go to the track having no idea what they were doing but just knowing they wanted to be there. When she first rode a motorcycle she had no idea it would be the thing that saved her life. What makes her unique is she is one of the 19% of women in the world who ride motorcycles.
This year, she started racing and finished the season with first and third place championships.
Hailey is thankful to her mother every day, for teaching her that it is okay to feel not okay, but it is not okay to give up.
To learn more about the Remix Racing Project visit https://theremixracingproject.com/remixracing
Founded in 1921 in Oakland, the global volunteer movement known asSoroptimist International has a mission to economically empower women and girls. They provide access to education, the single most effective anti-poverty intervention.
For more information about Soroptimist of 24-680 of Walnut Creek visit www.soroptimist24-680.org or send email to siof24.680@gmail.com. Please consider donating to these programs that continue to make a difference in the lives of women and girls.