Huntington Honor Students in
Relay for Life
Two teams of Huntington High School National Honor Society members are participating in this year's Relay for Life. Each of the teams started with a goal of raising at least $1,000 but as pledges mount, it's obvious they will raise many thousands more.
The Huntington teenagers will be at Northport High School on June 4-5 for the overnight event, which last year raised $180,000. Participants will gather around the school track and take turns walking or running laps between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in moonlight or rain. When they aren't circling the track, the teenagers will be sleeping, reading or socializing. Entertainment will also be provided for off-track time. Why the overnight schedule? Organizers say it's because "cancer never sleeps."
The Huntington Blue Devils, as the first team is known, consists of Natalie Acton, Holly Blakely, Michelle Byrne, Laurelle Byrne-Cody, captain Carolyn Fante, Holly Flores, Alexandra Martinolich, Mary-Liz O'Neill, David Stillman, and Joe Straub.
Huntington Blue Devils 2nd edition is comprised of Brielle Blatt, Danielle Cerezo, Aly Coleman, Louis Contino, Rebecca Deegan, Alexandra Kiley, captain Shira Moskowitz, Mia Rienzo, and Olivia Weller.
Huntington teacher Joseph Cohen, who is the school's National Honor Society faculty advisor, is also participating in the event and obtaining pledges. This is the first time Huntington will be at the Northport event.
"We're very excited to be participating with them this year," said Ms. Fante, who president of Huntington's National Honor Society chapter. "It's most of our members' first experiences with relay, so we're learning a lot, but our eventual goal is going to be to bring a Relay for Life to Huntington and get the whole school and community involved."
The evening will be highlighted by the luminaria ceremony. After the sun goes down, the Northport High School track will be lined with small paper lanterns to honor both cancer survivors and those who have succumbed to the insidious disease. The candles will be allowed to burn throughout the night as a remembrance. There will be musical performances, dance troupes and "midnight madness" to keep spirits high.
"Relay for Life is an amazing overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer," according to the organization's website. "At Relay, people from the community will gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to honor those who are currently battling this disease."
Monies raised will be contributed to the American Cancer Society to support "cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts and life-affirming patient services," according to the group.
As of early this week, those registered to participate in the Northport relay had already obtained pledges totaling more than $125,000. In the first two years of the Northport event, about $270,000 has been generated. More than 1,500 adults, teenagers and children are expected to participate next month.
More than 3.5 million people across the world participate in Relay for Life events.