Struthers cheerleaders raise breast cancer awareness

Staff report

STRUTHERS

This year, the Struthers High School Cheerleaders adopted a Pink Out Attitude.

Their goal was to make October pink in an effort to make the community aware of the prevention and intervention steps with breast cancer.

Throughout the month they sold pink accessories at the varsity football games, including ribbons, beads, bracelets and tickets for a pink basket filled with pink items and a North Face fleece, which had the pink ribbon emblem and pink design. The SHS cheerleaders also sold snack and candy bars to raise money to donate to the cause.

The cheerleaders decided to again sell pink T-shirts, selling a total of 570. This year, the shirts could be dedicated to a loved one or family member who battled cancer. They had more than 100 dedication names printed on the back of each shirt to honor those who still continue the fight against cancer and those who will never be forgotten.

Overall, the team sold more than 2,000 items to raise money for the donation and entrance fee into the Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic. The SHS Cheerleading Team set a very high goal and raised $2,750, which exceeds their donation from last year by about $1,264.

The Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic is a cheer and dance exhibition to raise money for Zeta Tau Alpha sorority’s philanthropy: breast cancer awareness, research and education. The event was created by Kim Caputo James, who wanted to combined her two passions, her sorority and cheerleading, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

Since its 2001 inception, the event has raised more than $1 million for the cause.

Teams of all age levels and abilities are invited to participate and unite as one in a positive atmosphere. The competition is nonjudged, as teams perform a three-minute routine and receive feedback from Youngstown State University cheerleaders. Participating teams also win awards based on Best Awareness Banner, Most Community Awareness and Largest Donation.

The Struthers High School Cheerleading Team had 20 girls perform, and placed fourth in the Biggest Donor category and first place for the Community Awareness Award.

“Overall, our goal was to help people learn more about breast cancer and early prevention,” said Jessica Zappia, SHS head cheerleading coach. “Dedicating T-shirts to people encouraged awareness and gave others the reminder that they are not fighting alone. Most of all, we wanted to ensure the pink campaign was a communitywide event to provide education and early prevention information to the great people of Struthers.”