Families, memories and racing

Soap Box Derby is a tradition for this racer’s family Port Jervis, N.Y. — Soap Box racer Lauren Hazen said, “I decided to race because of my cousin (Elizabeth).” Tears welled in her eyes. Elizabeth drowned in a pool accident in 2004. Hazen, 18, was one of the recipients of the Port Jervis Soap Box Derby’s Elizabeth “Boo” Bisland scholarship of $1000 this year. Her whole family has been involved in the Soap Box Derby for a long time, but she decided to race because of her cousin. “At first, I wasn’t even going to apply for the scholarship due to my family’s connection to it,” Lauren continued, “and I was very surprised when I won. I didn’t think I had a chance.” Bisland Insurance Agency in Glen Spey is owned by Lauren’s grandparents. They sponsored Lauren’s as well as Elizabeth’s racing, and created the scholarship after Elizabeth’s passing. Lauren pointed out that the committee deciding who gets the scholarships had to find new members this year due to the old members’ acquaintances with racers who applied. Other criteria to be eligible for the scholarship are community service and involvement in your town. Lauren’s put in about 500 hours of community service at the town’s Circle Park in Glen Spey, which was created in memory of her cousin, along with the rest of her family. “It’s a very close family,” said Lauren. “I didn’t want to go to college further than two hours drive away to be able to drive home and back in one day if necessary.” Lauren, who plans to be a teacher like her mom, George Ross Mackenzie sixth grade teacher Linda Hazen, said she’s going to attend the SUNY Oneonta teacher’s college this fall. “I was inspired by my math teacher Joe O’Connor (at Eldred High School). He took a course that most kids didn’t like and made them want to go every day.” She wants to teach high school math after college. Lauren’s sister Meaghan, 17, and Brian, 15, have also raced in the Derby. The whole extended family is very involved in the Derby, as well as other community projects. “I decided to do this for Elizabeth,” said Lauren, referring to why she agreed to appear in the paper.