The school raised $88,960.64 at its annual Relay for Life event Saturday, March 29.
This event was open to the public from 5-9 p.m. and the team members that raised over $100 had the opportunity to stay until 2 a.m.. Relay for Life is an event with different games and activities, set up to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Some students are involved with Relay for Life for personal reasons, as junior Emelia Loch states.
“Both of my grandparents had cancer, and we made memorabilia for them,” Loch said. “[I’m probably in Relay for Life] because of them, and I thought [being in the club] would actually be important and make a difference.”
Senior Juliyana Laws, a team member, explained why raising money was her favorite part.
“I genuinely love supporting people who have suffered from cancer and those who are still suffering,” Laws said. “It was fun to raise as much money as I could.”
Jessica Pham, a chaperone at the event, agreed that raising money was one of her favorite parts.
“I just love to see how the community comes together, and I love to see how much [money the kids] raise, how it gives them a purpose and how much fun they have doing it,” Pham said.
Annie Akehurst, a chaperone at the event, talks about her favorite part of the night, the Luminaria ceremony.
“I really like the Luminaria walkthrough because it’s just so powerful and inspiring to see all of the messages that people write for their loved ones,” Akehurst said.
The Luminaria is a ceremony with decorated paper bags that have names of people who have survived/lost their lives to cancer, and then they are lit up so people can walk through and look at them.
Another large way Relay for Life raises money is by having a silent auction during the main event. People bid on themed baskets, and the money from the auction goes towards the larger donation for the American Cancer Society.
Sophomore Jolie Hill’s favorite part of the evening was the main event.
“I think the main event was really fun,” Hill said. “I liked being able to be around a lot of people and socialize with people I don’t normally talk to outside of school. I thought the main event was really cool, especially seeing everyone hanging out with each other and seeing even parents having fun.”
Sophomore Lyci Manirad, an ELT for Luminaria, points out why people should want to get involved with Relay for Life next year.
“People should want to come to Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Society, it’s a big organization that’s really important across the world,” Manirad said. “It’s also a big event in our community because we’re the only [Relay for Life] in our district. I believe it’s important to represent that at our school.”
