Relay For Life of Shorecrest 2019 Recap

Now in its 14th year at Shorecrest, Relay For Life continues to make a lasting impact in the fight against cancer. This student-led initiative raises money for the American Cancer Society through a variety of activities including spirit night events at local restaurants, the Links Project in Lower School, team fundraisers and sponsorships.

The 2019 Relay For Life of Shorecrest on March 29, raised over $82,000 - bringing the school’s outstanding total to approximately $1,281,000 since 2006! This year's returning Event Co-Chairs, Olivia Olson '19 and Jordan Tralins '19, ran a wonderful program with many meaningful and heartfelt moments. They were assisted by Jacqui Barnes ‘19, a Committee of Middle and Upper School students and Jessica Sheets, Community Development Manager for American Cancer Society.

"Volunteering with the American Cancer Society is important to me because I am fighting on behalf of the family members I have lost to cancer. It is also important to me because it is a Shorecrest tradition that is important in our community." said co-Lead Olivia Olson '19. "My involvement in Relay has impacted me because I have worked on my leadership skills and formed closer relationships with the admin at Shorecrest. I am most proud of the student involvement at Shorecrest. It means a lot to me to see my peers get involved in this great cause!"

Co-Lead Jordan Tralins '19 agreed. "Olivia and I have done our best to keep students excited and involved in this cause that is so meaningful to us, and I think that we have succeeded. Knowing that Relay has a bright future of success at Shorecrest gives me more pride than anything. Relay is important to me because I see it as an opportunity to give back in the fight against a disease that impacts us all. Relay For Life events provide cancer-prevention advocacy in our community, and they are incredibly meaningful to survivors and caregivers."

The day kicked off with the Shorecrest community making a whole school lap, a wonderful tradition where upperclassmen guide younger Chargers around the track. Later that evening, we celebrated local area survivors and caregivers in the opening Survivor Lap.

#GoldTogether had another strong presence at the Shorecrest Relay For Life event. #GoldTogether is a movement birthed from the vision and positive energy of local pediatric brain cancer survivor and Relay For Life volunteer Cole Eicher. Exciting news was shared that evening that the #GoldTogether initiative is now a Relay For Life national program with the American Cancer Society Supporting Pediatric Cancer Research!

At 9:30pm, the Luminaria Ceremony began. Headmaster Mike Murphy read the poem “Light Out of the Darkened Room,” a Shorecrest tradition. All of Haskell Field was lit by only luminaria. Attendees ended the ceremony with a lap around the track in silence to remember those we have lost to cancer, pray for those who are fighting, and hope that a cure will be found soon.

Committee member and fundraiser William Newton '19 shared, "I Relay to find a cure. With modern technology, I realize that a cancer-free world is at our fingertips, and I want to do everything I can to make that happen faster."

BetterByrd

Burger 21

Chipotle

Ciccio's Cali

Evos

Florida Cancer Specialists

4th Street Pizza

Kahwa Coffee

M-N-M BBQ

Orange Theory

PDQ Fourth Street

Pop Goes the Waffle

Yogurtology