Most cross-country races on the WCA Cross Country team are pretty straightforward. Run as fast as you can through the cross-country course. Pretty simple, right? Well, not for Isaac Powell and the rest of the cross country team during a recent meet, when a nest of ground bees was aggravated by what race organizers suspect was the leading motorized ‘gator’ vehicle. The result of this accidental incursion was the emergence of dozens of stinging insects from the hive that attacked several runners passing through that area of the course. Pam Gibbons, WCA’s athletic director, as well as other race officials, weren’t even aware of what had happened until runners began crossing the finish line. “I didn’t even know about the bees until after the race, when I started seeing several runners limping around and asking for ice!” Gibbons explained.

This story isn’t about the bees, however, but what occurred in the midst of the chaos that ensued by 8th-grade WCA competitor Isaac Powell. Isaac was running the course and saw a runner from opposing team Grace Christian down and in distress from having been stung by a number of bees. Isaac then took an action a lot of us likely wouldn’t have. He stopped in the middle of the race, picked up the rival runner, and carried him fireman-style out of the bee-swarmed area. The runner had let Isaac know that he was allergic to bee stings, and upon delivery to race officials, was administered Benedryl to preclude a more serious allergic reaction. Once seeing to his fellow runner’s safety, Isaac rejoined and finished the race.  At the minimum, Isaac saved his opponent from extensive pain and swelling. In the worst case, he might have even saved him from a hospital trip. The runner’s family made sure we knew what Isaac had done, and what it meant to them. “The grandfather of the kid that Isaac helped sought me out in the crowds to tell me how thankful he was for Isaac’s sacrifice and willingness to help his grandson who was in quite a bit of distress,” recounts AD Gibbons. “I was so touched. What an amazing kid!” 

Isaac, son of Johnathan and Amanda Powell, and a new student to WCA for the 22-23 school year, responded with humility when asked about the incident and his thoughtful actions. “When I found him on the ground, I saw he had been stung. I approached him and he told me he was allergic to bees. I asked him if wanted me to carry him, and he said yes. So I just carried him out of the woods. It was just the right thing to do.” Somewhat miraculously, Isaac was never stung himself the entire time. 

WCA endeavors to educate and graduate students who care for others, often sacrificially, as Jesus sacrificed so much for us to forgive our sins. But so rarely do we see an act of such selflessness as what Isaac Powell showed us that day. He could have just run by, maybe getting help when he emerged from the woods. But instead, he stopped his race and helped someone in dire straights.  We couldn’t be more proud of Isaac. 

Isaac came in fifth in the race, but all of us here at WCA know he was the real winner of the day. 

Williamsburg Christian Academy is still enrolling on a rolling admissions basis. Top contact our admissions department for a tour or shadow, or to receive more information, visit our website at williamsburgchristian.org, or email admissions@williamsburgchristian.org. Interested families can also reach our Admissions officer directly at 757-378-5263.