Much of the ISD 166 K-12 student body enjoyed the sunshine on May 18 as they walked in what health and phy ed teacher Pam Taylor hopes is the first annual Cook County Schools Relay for Life outside Sawtooth Mountain Elementary School. The event raised money for the American Cancer Society. Pictured here (L-R) are Ashley Deschampe, Taylor Ryden, Ailee Larson, and Molly Zafft.
Lots of ISD 166 students were able to enjoy the sunshine at what health and phy ed teacher Pam Taylor hopes is the first annual Cook County Schools Relay for Life on May 18, 2012. The entire community was invited to the event, sponsored by the elementary, middle, and high school student councils. Proceeds will be sent to the American Cancer Society, which benefits from Relays all across the country each year.
The mood was festive, with guitarists, middle school band, and high school band all performing music while students and teachers and other adults walked.
Participants were encouraged to get pledges, but many students walked or ran the sidewalk encircling the Sawtooth Elementary playground simply to support the fight against cancer.
Forty-six paper plates in memory or honor of a loved one were sold and decorated for $5 each. At a typical Relay for Life, luminaries in honor or memory of loved ones are lit when darkness falls in the evening. Taylor decided that combining children and fire wasn’t such a good idea and that since the entire Relay for Life would be held in full daylight, luminaries weren’t necessary.
The event garnered $45 with the sale of Relay for Life buttons that allowed students to wear hats in school – a practice normally prohibited.
“It was a gorgeous day,” said Taylor. “It was just nice to be outside!” The event brought in almost $300. More than raising money, Taylor said, she wanted the kids to be able to learn about an event like this that benefits others and be able to participate in it.
The most ardent participant may have been junior Peter Warren, who walked the course the entire duration of the event – 2½ hours.
Way to go!
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