By Siddharth Muchhal, Special Writer
WEST WINDSOR — As a result of a year’s worth of work and Saturday’s event, the Relay for Life committees of two local high schools were able to raise more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society.
“I’m really proud of the students who spent countless hours after school preparing for this event and helping to raise more than $12,000 to fight back against cancer,” said Valerie Kearns, the advisor to the committee from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South.
On Saturday the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School Relay for Life committees held its final event, Relay Around the World, at the High School South gymnasium as a culmination to its year-long effort of fundraising for cancer research and prevention.
Relay for Life (RFL) is an organization that works as a primary fundraising source for the American Cancer Society, which uses the money for cancer prevention research as well as patient treatment and awareness. Since 1985, communities, high schools and colleges all around the world have held RFL events to help honor those who have or continue to fight with cancer.
The West Windsor-Plainsboro event, which this year went from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., has a different structure than most of the RFL events. There are two committees in charge; one each for WW-P High School North and WW-P High School South.
The committee chairs are seniors Hannah Claudia and Jenny Oh for North and seniors Daksh Bhatia and Arushi Patel for South. The advisors for the committees are Mary Beth Kitson for North and Ms. Kearns for South.
“RFL committees prepared for the event throughout the course of the year, with a majority of the efforts concentrated within the week leading up to the event. Members of committee spent their time during and after school making decorations and calling local restaurants for food donations for the survivor and caregiver dinner,” Arushi said.
Alongside preparing for the final event, the committees set up other events and activities throughout the year to fundraise for the cause. “The committees had spent time collecting door-to-door donations and organizing other events, such as Relay Idol and the student-faculty volleyball tournament,” she said.
Ms. Kitson, North RFL advisor, believes that the creative ideas of the committees helped the events and the club as a whole become successful.
“The committee members had many great ideas this year and were more than willing to act upon them. We listened to what they had to say and offered suggestions and support,” Ms. Kitson said. “They actively collaborated on decorations and creating an environment that promoted awareness and fun for those involved. They were well prepared the day of the event and set-up went more smoothly than in years past.”
In fact, Hannah, North RFL co-chair, also added that the time of the event helped contribute to the overall success. “This year’s event went very smoothly, particularly because it was held on a Saturday. In years past, the event was always held after school on a Friday, which limited the time that we had to decorate and prepare the gym. This year, we started decorating an hour earlier, and that one hour gave us ample time to set up without feeling as pressured as we felt in the past,” she said.
With more preparation time, the RFL committees were able to transform the South gymnasium with decorations and activities to truly reflect the theme, Relay Around the World.
“This year’s theme was very creative and the decorations were amazing! Committee members and team captains ran stations at each of the countries, providing food and/or hosting a cultural activity. A $5 donation at the door allowed participants to have access to any of the food at each country’s station, giving the event a ‘food festival’ vibe,” South advisor Kearns said. “This theme also allowed student groups and community members to highlight the diversity of our community in a fun and interactive way.” The event was structured to help emphasize both the theme of the event as well as the cause.
“The event began with registration, followed by the opening ceremony, (which) consisted of a survivor and caregiver lap, in which we celebrated them. Because our theme was Relay Around the World, we had cultural performances such as, Irish Step Dancers, Indian Classical Dancers, Chinese Yo-Yo performers, and other musical acts. (Later on,) we had the luminaria ceremony, in which we honored those affected by cancer with a silent lap. The luminaria ceremony was followed by more performances and then a pie as well as cupcake eating contests. The night concluded with the closing ceremony,” Patel described.
North sophomore and team captain Wilson Cai said that “the most interesting part of the event was the luminaria ceremony. I think that it was quite beautiful in how it signified the lives of all those affected by cancer, including fathers, mothers, siblings, aunts and uncles, and friends,” he said.
Similarly, South sophomore and team captain Alex Valen believed that the personal touch of the event made it special and motivating.
“The survivor lap, caregiver lap, and luminaria ceremony all gave me a close idea of how many local people have been affected by cancer which helped me to understand the necessity of fundraising and helped me become more motivated to help in the fight to cure this disease,” Alex said.
More than the sum of money raised, the event and the committee conveyed to the community their message of fighting back against cancer.
“The majority of the event is very lighthearted and fun, but the luminaria ceremony is a very touching ceremony that serves as a reminder of our purpose in supporting Relay for Life. The luminaria ceremony helps us all acknowledge that we all have a connection to cancer, whether it’s a parent or a friend who suffered or continues to suffer. (It) gives us all a sense of unity that encourages us to continue to finish the fight, and walking around the track gives us time to reflect, remember, and honor those who have lost their lives and those who continue to fight,” Hannah said.
For those who would like to contribute to the efforts of RFL, visit www.relayforlife.org/WWPHSJ or call 1-800-227-2345.
