On Aug. 12, children across Los Angeles were beginning their first day of the new school year. But for Paul Trapani, one of the three co-founders and the program director of Students Run LA (SRLA), he didn’t receive a back-to-school welcome.
Instead, he was called into a meeting in the program’s main office. There, he was told that he was being terminated and was given a letter and severance.
The letter said that the Executive Committee’s decision was based on its “review of the findings from the investigation” and consideration of the program’s future needs and direction. That was the extent of the explanation given to Trapani. To this day, he still doesn’t know what he is being accused of.
As far as he knows, it may stem from an implied incident at Beverly Hills High School during this year’s LA Marathon; the school was the post-marathon staging area for SRLA students.
Although Trapani could not provide specific details, he said it had to do with an interaction he had with an administrator whom Trapani had sought out, asking for guidance on what he felt was an “operational and safety concern.” Another staff member also joined the discussion.
“As we’re talking, I expressed discomfort with how I was being addressed, and I ultimately disengaged and walked away, rather than allowing that interaction to escalate,” Trapani recalled. “That was my perception of this [conversation].”
The incident was investigated by SRLA, and Trapani provided his side of the story. He believes that whatever was found during this investigation was used to support the decision to fire him, but none of the findings were ever shared with him.
But what he felt was truly deceptive was the message sent out by SRLA President and CEO Gaby Arvizu, in which she said that Trapani was “leaving” his role, rather than saying he was fired.
“I’ve had a really difficult year. My son passed in the early part of the season … but I would never have left without first letting the [SRLA] leaders know,” Trapani said. “That’s not in my nature, despite whatever grief and crisis were happening in my life. I still did my job. I made sure the leaders were supported.”
He initially reached out to the board, urging them to be truthful about the matter, but he received no response. Eventually, Trapani sent a message to SRLA leaders, telling them he was, in fact, terminated.
“I wanted to make sure that leaders were well aware of what happened,” Trapani said. “This was a choice that Gaby and now the [Executive Committee] made.”
Trapani is beloved by many within the program. Those who know him say he was always dedicated to providing support for students to help them reach their full potential. He was just as supportive of the many SRLA leaders who have volunteered their time towards the program, hearing their voices and needs.
On the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol Facebook page, Craig Moss wrote, “As a former coach, working with him for 15 years was great. He was so committed and compassionate, it’s heartbreaking to see this news.”
Several SRLA leaders, stunned over Trapani’s sudden firing, have expressed frustration towards the program over its lack of transparency, even holding a protest on Aug. 22 outside the McCourt Foundation to demand that he be brought back and that their voices be heard.
Trapani was touched by the show of support, emphasizing that without the dedication of those leaders, the work that SRLA has been able to do wouldn’t be possible.
“This is my take: our board has been disconnected and our leadership has been disconnected from the importance of making sure that the marathon leaders’ voices are heard and that they’re respected,” Trapani said. “They don’t get paid to do this. … They are our biggest in-kind contribution for Students Run LA.”
He doesn’t know what his next steps will be, but he’s keeping his pathways open. In the meantime, he’ll keep supporting SRLA leaders any way he can.
The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol has reached out to SRLA for comment, but they did not respond by press time.
Thank you Paul for all of your love, dedication and kindness. There is truly no one like you, and without you, I feel that this non profit organization has turned into a money making corporation. So sad what happens here in America to anything altruistic built from grass roots sweat and determination that the founders provided. I appreciate the contributors that saw the good in this program. I wouldn’t encourage these contributors to continue paying the executive salaries. This money should be going to students and scholarships and yes keep a few needed people in employ.
The utmost respect is earned through years of dedication, integrity, and service—and Paul Trapani has earned that respect many times over. He is not only deeply respected and valued by SRLA leaders, parents, volunteers, and students; he has become a pillar of the SRLA organization and an integral part of its identity and success.
Throughout his years of leadership, Paul has consistently demonstrated encouragement, support, kindness, compassion, and genuine commitment to the students and the SRLA mission. At the same time, he has always been clear about expectations, accountability, and the importance of staying focused on the ultimate goal: completing the marathon and helping young people discover what they are capable of achieving.
After decades of leadership, guidance, mentorship, and service, his unexpected termination has left many members of the SRLA community deeply concerned. It has created questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure and uncertainty about the future direction of the program.
This is not simply about the departure of an individual. It is about the loss of a leader who has played a significant role in building and shaping an organization that has impacted countless students, families, and volunteers. A decision of this magnitude deserves to be addressed openly and responsibly.
The SRLA community—including its leaders, parents, volunteers, and students—deserves a transparent, comprehensive, and respectful explanation of the circumstances and decisions that led to Paul’s termination. Understanding what happened is essential for restoring trust, addressing legitimate concerns, and allowing the organization to move forward.
This void cannot and should not go unnoticed. The community deserves answers. We respectfully, but firmly, call for transparency and accountability regarding this decision.