SHS student leaders and sponsors to host Pink Out Week activities and community events
Oct. 19—A special group of students at Stillwater High School are hosting Pink Out Week activities to raise money for cancer research and to increase cancer awareness.
Community events will be held Monday-Friday both at SHS, district schools and at local restaurants.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students are leaders in their school who promote community service opportunities. They make a difference in the community by addressing important issues like cancer research.
Since 2009, SHS has focused on raising awareness about cancer during Pink Out Week by planning activities at SHS, in district locations and in the community.
Stillwater restaurants partner with SHS through fundraising dine nights. In addition to the SHS events and a districtwide pumpkin decorating contest until Oct. 25, other schools in the district host additional fundraising and awareness activities.
"One hundred percent of the proceeds students raise will go to fight cancer," said Jody Webber, SHS family and consumer sciences educator and the SHS Pink Out sponsor. "Over the past thirteen years, we've raised more than $150,000."
During the Sept. 12 Board of Education meeting, SHS seniors Jordan Whitekiller and Callie Campbell announced Pink Out Week and shared the impact it has on the schools and community.
"Growing up through Stillwater schools, you get to experience Pink Out Week Pre-K all the way through high school," Campbell said.
Whitekiller said she and Campbell love how Pink Out Week draws all the schools in the district, not just SHS, together. Watching Kendra Kilpatrick, a beloved teacher and coach, battling cancer in the past few years — and ultimately losing her fight — impacted everyone in the district.
"It makes people feel so much better about giving away their money, knowing that it's going to a good cause," Whitekiller said.
This year, SHS added another family and consumer sciences teacher, Jess Arena, who helped Webber as she coordinated activities with the students.
"We want to thank SPS for bringing on another FCS Teacher and FCCLA Advisor, Jess Arena, who has joined us in continuing our strong tradition of raising money to help fund a cure for cancer," Webber said. "Maybe, just maybe, that dollar donated will be the one that goes to the right researcher at the right time at OMRF, and we defeat cancer once and for all."
Webber said a significant part of fundraising efforts each year is Pink Out football — including the silent auction and the Bucket Brigade gathering donations.
This year's Pink Out football game is Thursday. Because Thursday games typically aren't as well attended as Friday night games, Webber is hopeful supporters will still turn out in force to participate this year.
"This is such a special week, " Webber said. "We have all seen in the last year how much cancer can steal from us, and this year our students decided to showcase a victory over cancer by honoring one of our very own, an SPS lifer who beat cancer as a child, senior Andi Reuter. We are so excited to honor her as our Honorary Captain of the Game (on) Thursday."
Here's a look at next week's itinerary:
Monday
* Neon Theme at SHS
* Cookie Sales & Penny Wars at SHS
* Hideaway Dine Night (dine in and carry out orders only) from 4-10 p.m.
Tuesday
* Disco Theme at SHS
* Cookie Sales & Penny Wars at SHS
* The Garage Dine Night from 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday
* Jersey/Sports Theme at SHS
* Cookie Sales & Penny Wars at SHS
* Pumpkin Decorating Ends — send in your photo
* Powder Puff at Pioneer Stadium at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
* Head to Toe Pink Theme at SHS
* Cookie Sales & Penny Wars at SHS
* Pink Out Football at Pioneer Stadium
* Silent Auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and closes at halftime
* Kickoff at 7 p.m.
* Bucket Brigade at halftime
Friday
* Pajama Theme at SHS
* Cookie Sales & Penny Wars at SHS
* Hat Day at several schools
* Survivors, Fighters & Heroes picture in SHS Student Center at 12:40 p.m.
