You could say that when Jalurah Moore ran track for Pleasant Valley, she was being pushed from behind by the shadows of her family history.

When she signed a letter of intent to attend St. Francis University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, it was an extraordinary achievement never experienced by anyone in her family.

“My daughter did what I didn’t do,” said Lisa Moore. “I got as far as winning the hurdles at the Colgate Women’s Games, but after that I gave it all up.”

“Her mother and I didn’t finish high school, “said Jalurah’s father, George Moore. “And now my daughter will be the first to go to college.”

Jalurah excelled for Pleasant Valley in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, and the 400 and 1600 meter relays. She finished first in the 100 meters in every regular season race except one during her four year career (43-1).

Among her postseason highlights, Moore was part of the Bears’ 400 meter relay team that won gold at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championships during her sophomore season. As a junior, she was a third-place finisher in the EPC 100 meters. This season, she finished fourth in the 100 and third in the 200 at the District 11 Championships.

“I feel my achievements have been due to my hard work the past four years, “Jalurah said. “I always wanted to run for a D1 college, and now I will be.”

“Jalurah works so hard to get better, and she’s very coachable,” said Pleasant Valley track coach, Michelle Piontkowski. “She starts in November with indoor track, and her dedication never stops from there.”

When speaking about her competitive spirit, Jalurah sums it up in four simple words.

“I hate to lose.”

“She hates to lose,” echoes Piontkowski. “You could see her determination and her grit. At 50 meters in a 100 meter race, Jalurah turns it up to another gear.”

“I have to admit I’ve been extra hard on my daughter, “ said her mother, Lisa. “I told her to be the best at what she does and be there for others when they need you. I told her to feel the power she has in herself.”

“Jalurah is a leader,” said Piontkowski. “She’s very vocal at practice.”

“When coach gives us eight things to work on and a teammate says to me, ‘let’s just do seven of them, I say we have to do all eight,’” Jalurah said.

Jalurah is ready and confident that her high school success will continue for the Red Flash.

“Although running track is really an individual thing, I want to be part of the St. Francis team,” she said. “I knew right away that’s where I wanted to go.”

Her mother was filled with emotion when she witnessed Jalurah put pen to paper to seal the deal that her daughter will be attending St. Francis.

“I’m super proud of her,” said Lisa. “She’ s the first one to graduate high school in three generations, and now the first one to go to college.”

Jalurah Moore has already accomplished many firsts during her days at Pleasant Valley, and now she gets an opportunity to add to the list at St. Francis.