The Ryan Shaw Memorial 5K

Ryan Scott Shaw of Wakefield, MA passed away at the age of 18 on May 9th, 2016 shortly after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. He had recently completed his freshman year at Northeastern University, where he was studying for a bachelor's degree in Finance. While only in his first year of school, Ryan had the opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland during the Fall 2015 semester. Ryan made the most of his time abroad, traveling to various European countries and building close friendships along the way. Upon his return to Boston, Ryan was quick to involve himself in the Northeastern community, joining a fraternity and taking advantage of all that the city had to offer.

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Prior to Northeastern, Ryan attended St. John's Prepatory High School in Danvers, MA, where he thrived academically and started his own business, called EquityOwl, with two close friends. Ryan's creativity found expression in the art studios at St. John's, where his painting of a sailboat on calm waters won a Boston Globe Scholastic Art Gold Medal Award and was even temporarily displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He was also a talented athlete, playing Wakefield travel soccer, little league baseball, and basketball throughout his childhood. He used his unique charisma, humor, and natural drive to always pull the most out of people. Ryan avidly sought out adventure and welcomed competition, whether traveling with friends, hitting the ski slopes during the winter months, or spending time down the Cape with family and friends. Ryan’s list of accomplishments in just 18 years is truly remarkable.

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The 2022 Ryan Shaw Memorial 5K Run Benefiting The Ryan Shaw Foundation is being held in honor of Ryan and to preserve his beautiful legacy. He is dearly missed by all his family and friends.