On Sunday, November 8, 2026, Cordisco & Saile was proud to serve as the main sponsor of the Fourth Annual Character Counts 5K & Fun Run at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore near Philadelphia. The event honors the life and legacy of longtime LMHS Principal Dr. Sean A. Hughes, and this year’s race carried special meaning: it marked the fifth anniversary of his passing and the unveiling of the new Sean Hughes Memorial Garden & Plaza.
Remembering Dr. Sean Hughes
Dr. Hughes led Lower Merion High School as principal for more than 14 years. He was tragically killed on November 13, 2021, while driving his son to a soccer game.
Beyond his dedication to his students, Sean was a lifelong runner. For well over a decade, he could be seen, often before dawn, running the streets of Lower Merion along Montgomery Avenue. He ran the Broad Street Run for more than 20 years, co-chaired the Skippack Lions Club 5K for a decade, and coached youth softball, basketball, and soccer in his community.
Above all, Sean lived by a simple motto: character counts. It is a message his students and young athletes continue to carry with them today.
A Day for the Community
Members of the Cordisco & Saile team laced up and joined hundreds of runners and walkers on Hap Arnold Field and the course around campus. Between the race and the post-event festivities, our team had the chance to meet attendees, connect with Sean’s family and friends, and celebrate everything his memory has inspired.
The day ended with the long-awaited unveiling of Phase One of the Sean Hughes Memorial Garden & Plaza, made possible by the participants, sponsors, and donors who have supported the Character Counts 5K since its start. Last year’s race drew more than 500 participants and raised roughly $20,000 toward the project.
