Pitzer College’s Clock Tower Lawn buzzed with excitement on April 20 as students, faculty and community members gathered for the annual Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success (IDEAS) 5K Dream Run. The event offered more than just a race; attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious food, competed for prizes and shared in the day’s lively atmosphere.
IDEAS is a 5C organization that provides a safe space for undocumented students, unDACAmented students — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients — and allies. IDEAS was founded at the Claremont Colleges by Eric Martinez PO ’14, Diana Ortiz PO ’14 and Johanna Recalde PO ’14 in fall 2011.
The organization increases awareness about the experiences of undocumented students, highlights the diverse interests of its international community and fosters partnerships to promote intersectionality, solidarity and unity among marginalized communities. By advocating for all immigrants, IDEAS dismantles the narrative of the “good immigrant” often associated with the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
After a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IDEAS 5K Dream Run made a triumphant return last year, continuing its mission to unite the community in support of undocumented students. The annual run, a tradition at the Claremont Colleges, raises mutual aid funds to support undocumented high school seniors and current undocumented students in areas outside the purview of the 5Cs.
Organizers Kassandra Soriano Martinez PZ ’25 and Angeles Soriano Martinez SC ’24 discussed the lengthy planning process, which started at the end of fall 2023.
“Our team is still fairly new to this process, but we have learned a lot,” Kassandra Soriano Martinez said. “Our main goal was to bring the community together. There is a lot of planning surrounding the number of attendees that we hope to have, which is based on numbers from last year.”
Angeles Soriano Martinez explained that this year’s orchestrators wanted to improve upon last year’s iteration of the event.
“This year, we tried to make the route of the run easier to navigate by placing arrows and having student workers directing people,” Angeles Soriano Martinez said. “We also wanted to make sure to better time the schedule of the event. Last year, people finished the run before we anticipated so the food was not available until hours later.”
The run was a success by every measure: Through word of mouth and constant marketing throughout the schools, the IDEAS club managed to bring the 5C community together for a beautiful day, to run for a cause. Over 200 students, faculty and community members participated; organizers estimated the run has collectively raised over $4,000 for mutual aid.
Organizer Luis Mendoza CM ’25 appreciated the continued support of students and community members.
“On top of helping plan the event, I was able to run with everyone as well,” Mendoza said. “We had a huge group of runners this year and I overheard great conversations about people who participated last year and are excited to continue supporting the event.”
The route began from Pitzer’s Clock Tower Lawn, winding through Pomona College and Claremont McKenna College before circling back to Pitzer. Volunteers were stationed along the trail to guide runners. Crowds cheered runners on as they crossed the finish line to collect their medals. After runners finished the marathon, they enjoyed delicious pupusas by Sivar Treats, a family-owned business.
“We sold out of food and shirts, which shows how many people really wanted to be part of this event,” Kassandra Soriano Martinez said. “Seeing the community together, being able to cheer people on was really fun and seeing so many people support our event made me feel like we belong and are supported by our peers and community members.”
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