Newtown High School senior Kyle Getzinger is hoping for a large turnout at Danbury Sports Dome, 25 Shelter Rock Lane, Danbury, on November 17 from 4-6 pm for the “Sean’s Mile, A Walk 4 All” event she created.

The event is raising money for Sean’s Path, “created to honor and fuel the legacy of Sean Stutman, who passed away unexpectedly just before his eighth birthday, in July of 2022,” a description for the foundation reads, available online at publishthis.email/sean’s-path-HkgQAsE4s.

Sean lived in Newtown and Kyle’s family has been friends with his family for years, the NHS senior explained. So when it came time for her to choose a Senior Capstone Project, she realized she could help support the foundation, which was started by Sean’s family.

A flyer for the event explains the Sean’s Mile, A Walk 4 All will “celebrate Sean’s life through community, inclusivity, and faith. Walk, run, or wheel through the track. All are welcome!”

A bounce house will be on-site for the day, light refreshments will be available for purchase, and there is a suggested cash donation of $5 for individuals and $20 for a family of 4. Walk-ins will be welcome, and RSVPing to the event is also possible by emailing kgetz246@gmail.com.

“Diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth,” the Sean’s Path description reads, “Sean overcame numerous obstacles through consistent hard work, faith, and community support that allowed him to accomplish many things physically, intellectually, and faith-wise that many adults have never.”

According to the description, Sean wanted to go backpacking with his older Boy Scout brothers, so he completed a six-mile round-trip overnight backpacking trip with this dad and friends.

“His physical and intellectual development was inspired by lots of consistent hard work including running a mile six days a week, doing 30 laps on monkey bars each day, and other activities such as belly crawling and gymnastics,” the Sean’s Path description shares.

And one of the places he loved to be active was Danbury Sports Dome, Kyle shared.

“They have been very, very accommodating, from donating their space to us and they have been helping every step of the way,” said Kyle about Danbury Sports Dome.

Kyle noted that Danbury Sports Dome’s track is dedicated to Sean.

Sharing that she works at Thrillz Danbury, Kyle said when it came time to choose her passion project, she knew she could organize an event.

Local leaders have been invited to the event and Kyle said she has been receiving approval for choices for the event from Sean’s family, parents Karen and Michael Stutman.

Kyle said inclusivity, community, and faith were “really important” to Sean. He was a member of St Rose of Lima Church. Kyle said emphasizing those three points is important for the upcoming event.

“You can walk, you can wheel, you can run, you can use a walker: Everyone is welcome,” Kyle said of the November 17 Sean’s Mile, A Walk 4 All. “We are here to celebrate everyone’s differences.”

Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.