In 2010, it was estimated that more than thirteen million people had cancer. Nearly everyone knows someone that has somehow been affected by cancer. Relay For Life, a community event held on campus on April 11-12 is trying to make a difference for those thirteen million people, as the profits of the event benefit the American Cancer Society.
“This is the school’s second year to hold the Relay For Life event,” senior and Relay For Life Committee Event Chair Liz Schasel said. “We’re actually the first high-school run Relay in North Texas. The event is such a fun experience, and those of us on the committee have been working so hard all year to ensure everything runs smoothly and the whole thing is a great success. There are a lot of things planned throughout the night such as performances and various activities, in addition to our ceremonies such as the opening, closing, and Luminaria ceremony.”
Luminaria is one method of raising money for Relay For Life, as well as honoring those that have suffered from or lost their battle to cancer. Luminaira bags can be purchased on the
Relay For Life website, they are used during the Luminaria ceremony during the event.
“The Luminaria ceremony is where people buy bags for ten dollars, and inside there’s a candle, and it’s to represent to people that have survived or in memory of those that have lost their battle to cancer,” junior and Relay For Life Committee member Claire Becker said. “It’s a way for everyone to come together and support cancer research. It’s probably going to be the most emotional and heartfelt part of the event, it’s probably going to get to a lot of people, I know a lot of people have been affected by cancer so it goes deep in everyone’s hearts.”
Although the event is in honor of an emotional topic, it is also a celebration of life, and there are many fun activities including, but not limited to: Mr. Relay (a spoof of the Mr. Lovejoy male pageant), Zumba, a ping pong tournament, a Majestics performance, a coed football tournament, and ‘Minute to Win It’ challenges.
“It’s definitely something people should be excited for,” junior and Relay For Life Committee member Christa Murad said. “The people that have planned it have been working really hard for it to be a fun event.”
Many students are already signed up to attend the event, in fact, for National Honor Society Members, attendance is mandatory. Students can receive service hours, however that is at the discretion of the leader of their service group. For NHS members, they receive one hour of service for every $50 raised.
Participants are encouraged to bring money to purchase food from various sponsors as well as participate in events and games occurring
during the event. Participants under the age of eighteen must also bring a mandatory Youth Participation Agreement Form. Students will not be let into the event without this being signed by a parent or guardian.
“[People should bring] cash, and a lot of it. Also, a good attitude.” Murad said. “They should also bring pillows and blankets, because they’re going to be up all night.”
“It’s all night long and its a great reason to hang out with cool people,” senior and Relay For Life Committee Member Colton Alleman said,“People should be excited about it because it’s a really good cause, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.
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For more information regarding Relay For Life, contact senior Liz Schasel.
To participate in Mr. Relay or the Co-Ed football tournament, contact junior Michelle Stoddart.
Watching2201 • Oct 9, 2015 at 10:32 am
We need more survivors at the 2016 relay for life along with better music during the survivor lap.
Anonymous • Apr 14, 2014 at 2:47 pm
you tell em Mrs. Clark
Ginny Clark • Apr 11, 2014 at 2:32 pm
In response to “Unhappy NHS Student,” I’m sorry that you don’t see the value in attending tonight’s Relay For Life. Last year’s event was a huge success, and NHS members, Lovejoy students, and others in the community helped to raise thousands of dollars towards finding a cure for cancer, and they had fun doing it. NHS has only one major fundraiser a year in which members are required to attend. You have choices: If you don’t want to participate, don’t be in NHS. And, in the future, don’t speak for the other 99%.
Anonymous • Apr 14, 2014 at 11:39 am
You didn’t really disprove their point, though. Fundraising success and voluntary participation aren’t exactly linked. Also, they didn’t say they didn’t see the value in Relay for Life, they were just speaking an observation, nor did they openly state that their unhappiness had anything to do with Relay for Life, or even NHS for that matter.
A few more thoughts... • Apr 16, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Following this logic, “Unhappy NHS Student” is just unhappy in general and just so happens to be an NHS member? The original post didn’t prove his/her point any better. Hyperbole is not proof. Their tone spoke volumes, even if their keyboard didn’t. I highly doubt 99% of NHS members were forced to be there, and I think a large number of those found the underlying value in the event. If you don’t want to be forced to go to a fundraiser, don’t join a group that requires fundraiser attendance.
Unhappy NHS Student • Apr 10, 2014 at 3:36 pm
I guarantee that 99% of the people there are only going because NHS forces them to.