Vandegrift students are gearing up for Relay For Life. Since Vandegrift  hosts one of the largest high school sponsored Relays, all hands are on deck to pull off this years event by April 17. Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society event that brings together people from all over the city to come together and walk all night as a symbol in the fight against cancer. Vandegrift alone was estimated to have up to 500 participants last year, so high attendance is greatly anticipated.

“I just love Relay For Life because it pulls people from every corner of the community. So many different people path’s cross this way, that otherwise wouldn’t of happened,” Kirsten Mulligan, Relay For Life coordinator, said.

Key Club is hosting Relay and Student Council is helping co-host the event. Between these two clubs, community members, and other student volunteers there are many eager helpers putting on this year’s Relay. The committees of Relay For Life have already begun meeting two days a week and are constantly planning.

“Seeing students come together for a greater cause is the most exciting part of Relay. All the students that work together are able to achieve so much, they really are just all so dedicated and it is a very cool thing to watch,” Angela Harrelson, Relay For Life coordinator, said.

Members of the community come to Relay to celebrate the lives of those who have faced cancer. There are special laps dedicated to the survivors and their families, as hundreds line the perimeter and cheer on those walking. Often a cancer survivor and their family will share their own personal anecdote with everyone about the strength they gained from the trials that cancer brings.

“It’s so cool to hear from the guest speakers because they just offer a perspective that is so unique. Walking away each year I just feel refreshed and extra thankful for all the little blessings in my own life,” senior Kelly Honts, said.

The Luminaria ceremony is yet another aspect of Relay that is both captivating and inspiring and often a highlight for many of the attendee’s. The ceremony includes lighting candles inside of bags that have been decorated in order to honor those who have fought cancer or who are currently fighting cancer. The light signifies the beauty of each individual who is being honored and altogether is a powerful representation of how much our loved ones mean to us.

“Throughout high school I have always been involved in Relay For Life. My grandma was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, so being involved is just a small way that I can help honor people with cancer, like my grandma,” senior Caroline Naples said.

The long sleepless night is filled with many other fun activities as well. Entertainment has been planned to stretch from face painting to food eating contests to musical acts performed by students. Through the on going hustle of students collecting many sponsorships, Vandegrift will have more than enough help supplying all the fun for the night. All the student lead aspects of Relay is yet another part that builds the comradery between the students.

“I love seeing all the families come out and the 500 or so kids that are just here having a fun good time for a good cause. They could be spending their Friday night a number of different ways, but they’re here at Relay,” Mulligan said.