October was not only a month of settling Rancocas Valley students into the new year, but a month of raising awareness for Breast Cancer, which was evident in RV’s activities throughout the month. Clubs and sports came together to support the cause of raising awareness for breast cancer through a variety of different fundraisers.
One of these events was the cheer team’s fundraiser for breast cancer. Cheerleaders sold pink shirts, with the proceeds going towards awareness. This not only helped raise awareness but also solidified bonds within the team, providing them with a cause to support, as junior cheerleader Sasha Henderson explains.
“The fundraiser taught myself and my team about the importance of giving back to our community. I am very grateful that I was able to make a difference within my community,” said Henderson.
Through their hard work and dedication, the RV cheer team has made a lasting impact. The proceeds of their fundraiser went towards the Unite for Her Cancer Support organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing care at no cost to those with ovarian and breast cancer. The head of the cheer team, Coach Norway, expanded upon how much they raised to donate to the organization.
“This year the RV Cheer team raised $2,000 for the Unite for Her Cancer Support organization through our Pink Out T-Shirt sale,” Norway said. “We were proud to work with our community members and school to raise money to help people battling with cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
Similarly, RV’s dedication to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be seen through the annual “Dig Pink” game the Volleyball team holds. The “Dig Pink” game was extremely successful this year, as detailed by Coach Colling.
“So we run a Dig Pink game every year in October. This year we ran our game on October 12th, where we played Burlington Township. We raised over $2,000 to give to the Dig Pink Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness.”
Colling also elaborated on the future of the event, looking towards the impact to come while also reflecting on the game’s past.
“Next year, we look to do the same thing with Burlington Township. We’re looking to keep this an ongoing thing. This was our seventh year running it. Our first year we played West Windsor North because the coach was a former player of mine.”
The event has a long history, and the girl’s volleyball team looks to continue the legacy of the event and its impact.
In addition to sports, clubs rallied for Breast Cancer Awareness, uniting both the sports and clubs of RV under one banner. Circle of Women, RV’s club for women empowerment, led the charge for clubs as they sold pink ribbon pins to give back to the cause. Junior Morgan Smith, a member of Circle Women, describes the fundraiser and reveals her own personal connection to breast cancer.
“We made ribbons and safety pinned them together to make breast cancer ribbons for the Circle of Women club,” Smith said. “My grandma actually had breast cancer twice, so the fundraiser hit close to home.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a month of connection through the hard work of making a difference by promoting the cause. Through clubs and sports, students not only feel like they are contributing to a bigger message, but they also feel a sense of pride and growth for how the experience changes them. Through the fundraisers, the month could strike a personal chord with a student or allow them to feel accomplished in helping a cause. The activities that take place during October truly embody what RV stands for, implementing change and growing while it is made.
