Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — April 12, 2025 — An Arkansas State University student’s vision for an autism acceptance 5K became a reality Saturday, with the help of his fraternity chapter and community members.
On April 12, Arkansas State University’s Theta Upsilon chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, in conjunction with Ag for Autism, hosted an Alphas for Autism 5K Run and Walk. The race began and ended on the Heritage Plaza Lawn of the Carl R. Student Union.
The 5K was the idea of Kelby Mack, a junior student with autism enrolled in Arkansas State University’s Autonomy Through Leadership, Advocacy and Service (A.T.L.A.S.) support program.
The program helps students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or autism in their studies and be involved with campus activities.
“When he brought this to us, we thought it was the perfect time to do an autism acceptance event,” said Jessica Rainwater, the marketing and public relations officer for the RESTORE Hub at Arkansas State University.
With April being World Autism Acceptance Month, Mack said it was a good feeling seeing his idea come to life.
“At first, it was like imaginary, then I made it happen,” Mack said. “My friends over here and all my line brothers supported the idea and just made it happen.”
Alpha Phi Alpha president Martavius Hopkins said seeing Mack happy during the event was rewarding.
“He’s a really important asset to our chapter and just seeing one of his dreams come true and seeing everybody loves him here on campus, we still got people here giggling, laughing around, so I definitely just seen him happy,” Hopkins said.
Mack and his family worked hard to get things set up for the event and ensure things went smoothly, Hopkins said. The event was promoted across both the city and the campus.
“They came to us with the idea. We’ve been trying to help as much as we can with everything,” Hopkins said. “We’ve never put on a 5K, so we didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into, but with their guidance, we were able to make that happen.”
Several organizations pitched in to help with the event, down to how the route was going to be planned. Both Mack and Hopkins said the community’s support was the biggest highlight of the event.
Isaiah Azubuike was one of the first runners to cross the finish line. He said it was an amazing feeling, especially for what the event means.
“When I saw the opportunity to race, do it for a great cause such as this, I said I have to, and then other people told me they wanted to do it. I said, ‘Come on. Let’s do it together now,’” Azubuike said.
Mack hopes by holding a 5K, he can convey others with autism that they can do anything.
“Kids with autism can do anything when they put their eyes to it. That’s what I’m hoping to get out of this race. I’m a kid with autism myself, and I just got the 5K in under three months,” Mack said.
Rainwater said they plan on making the 5K an annual event and make this a legacy for Mack.
“I know that we see it, but a lot of times we don’t really speak up on it, and I just want everybody feeling included at A-State. We’re a family, we’re home, so we want to make sure that everybody feels included,” Hopkins said.
The winners from each division are listed below:
Runners:
- Female Overall : Chiara Casteghaio (Paragould, AR)
- Male Overall: Isaiah Azubuike (St Louis, MO)
Walkers:
- Female Overall: Kesha Allen (Paragould, AR)
- Male Overall: Harry Wakefoose (Jonesboro, AR)
Age Group 1-17
- Male : Aaron Mack (Marion, AR)
- Female: Rakhel Nogueira (Jonesboro, AR)
Age Group: 18-34
- Male: Shane Caviness (Greenbrier, AR)
- Female: Miki Imazato (Jonesboro, AR)
Age Group: 35-54
- Male: Tyler Woodard (Brookland, AR)
- Female: Lori White (Wynne, AR)
Age Group: Over 55
- Male: Chris Powers (Paragould, AR)
- Female: Pam Powers (Paragould, AR)