On May 2, Freedom’s National Honor Society (NHS) hosted a Disney-themed Relay For Life, a community event where 23 on-site teams, 228 participants and 21 cancer survivors came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. While the participants and teams walked the track for several hours, they celebrated survivors, remembered loved ones who lost the battle or are still fighting and were encouraged to continue the fight to find a cure.

“Relay [For Life] is a very fun event that can bring people together to support a cause that has touched us all in some way,” NHS President and Event Chair, Senior Raylen Welling said. “The NHS organizes a lot of different projects throughout the year to get community service hours and, rather than hosting a lot of small events, we thought it would be really cool to put all our time and efforts into one really big event that could have a really big impact.” NHS members were broken into several committees, including fundraising, advertising, entertainment, ceremonies and luminarias, in order to prepare for the Relay.

Teams started to walk around the track at 4 p.m. From that time onwards, at least one member from each team was required to walk throughout the duration of the event. At 4:45 p.m., everyone gathered in the home bleachers for the opening ceremony. Opening speeches were made by Welling and Survivors Committee Chair, Senior Kaitlin Shvach.

“By walking this track tonight, you are joining forces with millions of people worldwide who want to save lives. We want to finish the fight,” Welling said.

Following the opening speeches, everyone lined up around the football field to applaud those who have battled cancer and won their battle as the survivors walked around the track while holding a banner that included the event’s slogan, “When you Wish Upon a Cure.”

“I was amazed at the way everyone pulled together to help this cause. I am thankful for all the support and well wishes from my community,” Freedom Middle School and High School Nurse, Mrs. Bonnie Adams, who’s currently undergoing chemotherapy, said. “We grieve for ones we lost, support the ones battling the disease and rejoice at those who have won the fight against cancer.”

Following the initial Survivors Lap, any caregivers to those who battled cancer then joined the survivors and the second lap. On the third lap, everyone stepped onto the track and walked together.

To remember loved ones who lost their battle to cancer or are still fighting cancer, luminarias were also sold by team members to fundraise. The 184 luminarias, which had the names of loved ones written on them, spelled out the word, “DREAM” on the football field.

At 7 p.m., everyone gathered in the home bleachers to remember those who have lost the battle to cancer while Luminaria Chair, Junior Brianna Frashure, gave a speech during the Luminaria Ceremony. All team members and chaperones walked the track in silence before going onto the field to get a closer look at the luminarias as specially-selected music played in the background.

Just after 10 p.m., everyone gathered together as Ceremonies Chairman, Junior Brittany Bionda, closed out the night with her speech. Following the speech, everyone took one more lap on the track together before going home.

“This has been an extraordinary day. Our students and staff have really come together in the community to put on an amazing event to raise funds for the fight against cancer and I’m very, very proud to be part of the Freedom community that’s taken up this fight,” Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fuller said.

At the May 13 wrap-up assembly, it was announced that the event raised $22,377.98.

“[All of the money raised] will go to the American Cancer Society and we will find a cure for cancer,” NHS Sponsor Mrs. K.C. Hastings said. “It goes [to] whatever they need. Some of the money just provides rides for people who don’t have rides to their treatments and things like that.”

Team members raised money by asking for donations from friends, families, organizations or businesses, selling items at the Relay or planning fundraisers. NHS members also hosted a penny drive at Freedom Area Middle School that raised almost $1,000.

Since the event raised over $20,000, FHS Principal, Mr. William Deal and FHS Assistant Principal, Mr. Ryan Smith got pied in the face at the assembly by every team captain. Previously, Deal, Smith and Fuller each had their hair sprayed purple when the event met the $2,500, $5,000 and $15,000 goals, respectively.

After this successful Relay For Life, Hastings said that there will be plans for NHS to organize another Relay For Life at Freedom in the future.

“We will definitely make this an annual event,” Hastings said.