Students and staff members throughout the Valley Stream Central High School District supported the fight against breast cancer during the month of October. Central and North high schools and Memorial Junior High School were all represented at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach on Oct. 18, which supported the American Cancer Society. Central High School volunteers raised more than $2,500 for the cause through their participation in the walk, as well as through their annual Pink fundraiser. This year’s fundraising event titled “Got Pink?” gathered proceeds through T-shirt sales and a variety of activities that attendees enjoyed. Members of North High School’s Career and Technical Education Honor Society and Interact Club joined forces for the walk and raised more than $800.

Delegates from Memorial Junior High School’s National Junior Honor Society also showed their emotional and financial support by walking at Jones Beach. According to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer website, walks such as this raise critical funds that enable the American Cancer Society to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research, provide free, comprehensive information and support to those touched by breast cancer, and help people take steps to reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it is most treatable. Making Strides walks are held throughout the country for the many individuals and groups who are dedicated to making a difference.

Photos Courtesy of Valley Stream Central High School District

CHS Team: Central High School students raised more than $2,500 for the fight against breast cancer through the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and annual Pink fundraiser.

MJHS Team: Memorial Junior High School’s National Junior Honor Society members showed support at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

As part of the American Heart Association’s Work Out for Heart initiative promoting the benefits of healthy and active lifestyles, first-, second- and third-grade students at Fork Lane Elementary School collectively raised more than $7,000. Following their remarkable efforts, the students participated in a series of workouts, including sitting-and-reaching, hula-hooping, jump roping, performing push-ups and curling dumbbells. The activities, in conjunction with each grade’s fundraising efforts, highlight the school’s promoting of heart health. Fourth- and fifth-graders will also be participating in the activities.

Photos Courtesy Hicksville Public Schools

Photo Caption: Members of the Nesaquake Middle School cheerleading team in the Smithtown Central School District, along with their families, participated in the Walk for Beauty Color Run in Stony Brook on Oct. 25. The school’s participants raised more than $600 for breast cancer research.

Photo courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District

Stewart Manor School students in grades 4-6 dressed in all shades of pink when they participated in the school’s annual Prediction Marathon on Oct. 20.

The marathon, a three-quarter-mile run through the school neighborhood that ended at Stewart Manor Country Club, promoted fitness and academics in addition to serving as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Physical Education teacher Peter
Kaczenski coordinated the event. He said students practiced running in physical education class and predicted how long it would take to make the trek, prior to the run, so their predictions could be compared to their marathon-day results.

“I want children to apply what they learn in class into their everyday lives,” Kaczenski said. “Hopefully our students transfer the fun of this event into their own healthy lifestyle for years to come.”

Students in grades K-2 also joined the fun and were positioned along the route on various street corners with their teachers, cheering the runners on with pink pompoms in hand. The school community has raised $2,335 for the American Cancer Society through pledges and the sale of pink bracelets, bandanas, pins, socks and other items made available at the school’s Pink Cafe. According to Student Council adviser Samantha DeFalco, donations are still being collected.

American Cancer Society representative Chris Falzarano was in attendance at the event and applauded students on their outstanding effort.

Photo captions:

1. Fourth-grader Angelina O’Bryant stretched along with classmates before the event.

In celebration of October’s national campaign against breast cancer, Levittown students from Division Avenue and MacArthur high schools and the Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center held special events to raise money for breast cancer awareness and prevention campaigns.

The Division Avenue High School volleyball team played against Bethpage during the annual Dig Pink event. The girls raised $2,035 for the Side Out Foundation, an organization that unites players and coaches in the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness, education and patient services. In addition, the cheerleaders and kick line teams attended the Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach to unite with other Long Islanders in the campaign to find a cure.

At MacArthur High School, the girls and boys volleyball teams played against faculty and staff at the annual Dig Pink event and raised $1,400 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s breast cancer awareness campaign and patient services.

Under the direction of Nancy Stine, the GC Tech cosmetology students held the third annual Pink Nails for Hope at the Levittown Memorial Education Center. Students put their skills to use by applying pink polish and/or pink ribbons to clients’ fingernails. Donations were made to Making Strides of Long Island for cancer research. In addition, the Key Club hosted a Lawnflix Big Screen showing of “Halloweentown” in the LMEC gymnasium. An entrance fee was collected and all proceeds were donated for breast cancer awareness.

Photo Captions:

Photo A: Division Avenue High School Principal Joan Lorelli and the Dragon mascot joined the girls volleyball team during the annual Dig Pink game fundraiser.