WRV students walk the extra mile for Relay for Life

White River Valley Jr./Sr. High School students taking part in a Greene County Relay for Life fundraiser include (front, from left) Elizabeth Lamar, Kayla McKenzie, Sarah Burnham, Sabra Baker, Tesa Horsting (team captain), Becky Zygai; and (back, from left) Michael Adams, Lydia Milligan, Joshlyn Held, Jasmine Padgett, Megan Lemmons, Kim Wheelock, Jake Blackwell, Jalen Faith, and Amber Crowe. (Submitted photo)

SWITZ CITY -- A group of White River Valley Jr./Sr. High School students are passionate about finding a cure for cancer by volunteering to walk in the 24-hour Greene County Relay for Life beginning at 9 a.m. on May 14 at WRV High School.

"Although the event is sponsored by the Student Council, many other students are participating in the event," noted Mary Putney, student council sponsor and contact person for the Relay. "They have been working hard raising money."

She explained that the students have been busy selling T-shirts, Relay feet and gathering donations. Plus, they are selling bandanas and pins from a breast cancer awareness campaign that were donated by Kim Overman, a WRV science teacher. The bandanas and pins will also be sold during the Relay.

"With all the other teams in competition for raising money, these students have done a terrific job," noted Putney.

However, Putney said they haven't met their quota and are still accepting donations.

Not only are the young students doing a good job raising money but are showing their sincere concern for finding a cancer cure. Most of them have had family members touched by the disease.

"I am very passionate about Relay for Life because both of my grandpas had cancer," said Jasmine Padgett, a WRV student.

Another student, Sabra Baker said, "I am passionate (about Relay) because my great grandma died of cancer, and I would like to help as much as I can so families don't lose family members."

Also adamant about doing his part in Relay, Michael Adams explained that he is participating because he has had a lot of friends who has had cancer.

"And I'll do anything to make them better," Adams added.

Putney said the students have done a terrific job,

"I would like to recognize them and thank them for their generosity and determination," she added.

People in 21 countries participate in Relay for Life. It all began in 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt wanted to honor his patients by walking around a track at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., for 24 hours. Friends paid $25 to walk 30 minutes with him. Klatt walked 83 miles and raised $27,000.

The first official Relay began in 1986. Now, nearly four million people take part in the event.