By Sachi Bhati ’18, News Section Editor

On Friday, May 27, 2016, Country Day Upper Schoolers came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The Upper Schoolers raised $16,240.77 through online fundraising. Natalie Thornell ’17 raised the highest amount of money, $1,000. Nevie Smith ’19 came in close second raising $700.  A majority of the money raised goes to cancer research, but money also goes to help those with cancer.

Team leaders arrived at school at 2:00 to blow up balloons and help decorate. As team members began to arrive, DJ of the night, Trisha Atluri ’16 had music playing to get everyone hyped for the evening. When the clock struck 5, dinner was served. As per tradition, Skyline catered for the night. Once dinner was over the students sat on the library steps. Ms. Floyd said a few words regarding the schedule of the night. This year we had three speakers. A representative from the American Cancer Society, who thanked us for raising the money, and explained what the money goes to do. Our second speaker was a representative from Be the Match. They held a booth where students could sign up to “be the match” for people who have certain blood cancers and diseases, for example, Leukemia. This year sophomore Kaity Travis’s mom spoke to the students about her experience as a cancer survivor. Her message was that everyone should enjoy every single moment.

Once on the track, all 17 teams took a lap together. Relay had officially begun, with root beer pong and a new henna station the excitement was in the air. The only requirement of the night was that at least one person from each team had be to be walking the track, the point for this was that “we walk with those in the battle and those we love.” People with cancer can’t just decide one day that they don’t have cancer, so as a team each person must help by taking playing their part and walking their lap.”