The streets of the Memorial Villages transformed into a sea of sneakers, chalk art, and contagious joy as more than 500 gathered for the inaugural Rodeo Run, hosted by The Mental Health Society (TMHS), a nonprofit dedicated to making therapy accessible to students.
Founded in 2024 by Dr. Jenna Rosen, Morgan Matherne, and Emily Morris, TMHS has provided therapy scholarships to more than 60 students. Funds raised at the run went to the group’s Wellness Fund, ensuring that teens get the mental health support they need. As Matherne put it, “The Rodeo Run was an overwhelming success,” and she’s “incredibly proud of how TMHS has evolved over the last two years.” She also emphasized that “the community support was nothing short of outstanding,” which was clear at every turn along the course.
I had excitedly presented Dr. Rosen with the idea for the run months before. We worked with Mayor Aliza Dutt, Memorial Village city councils, and Memorial Villages Chief of Police Ray Schultz to get the event permitted and details finalized. Once approved, an army of MHS students stepped forward to volunteer. The night before the event, students lined the course with colorful chalk drawings and messages of encouragement. Duncan Horner from The Monarch School helped create a sensory-friendly environment.
On the day of the event, runners had the choice to participate in a 5K competitive run or a one-mile inclusive, sensory-friendly walk named in honor of Katherine Ferruzzo, who was a passionate advocate for the special needs community. Katherine graduated from MHS in 2025 and was a Camp Mystic counselor; she tragically lost her life in the July 4th floods.
More than 30 committee members and hundreds of Memorial-area volunteers to bring the event to life. Deborah Duncan joined Mayor Dutt as our guests of honor, along with Chief Schultz, and many other officers were in attendance. Additionally, the Memorial Art Honor Society students offered free face painting to the attendees. As Matherne put it, “This is only the beginning… I’m energized by the reach and opportunities that lie ahead.”
The Rodeo Run was more than a race. It was a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, we can move mountains – and ensure every student has a place at the starting line.
View a video of Rodeo Run created by Memorial Villages Police Department.
