WLB students participate in annual “Relay Recess”

[May 14, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

On Friday students and faculty at West Lincoln-Broadwell School participated in the annual Relay for Life ‘Recess Relay.’ The students were joined by several cancer survivors as they did walks around the school gymnasium as well as outside on the school’s track.

The students were doing the recess relay as a fundraiser for the Logan County Relay for Life. The primary event will be held at the Lincoln Center Jack Nutt Arena on Saturday June 16th.

A portion of the day’s program included the presentation of a check to Relay for Life in the amount of $870.16. The check was presented to Carolyn Motely for the RFL by WLB student Drew Eimer.

In another portion of the program, Eimer was joined by student Jake Biven and WLB Principal Heather Baker in a presentation before an assembly of the students. The three talked about cancer and the impact it has on the cancer victim, as well as on friends and family.

It is sad to note that many children have a keen knowledge of this devastating disease, not because they should be ignorant, but because many have dealt with cancer at a young age. They have had family members and even beloved school teachers who have battled the disease. The kids have an understanding of how important it is for the American Cancer Society to be able to assist in research that will result in more survivors, and also in offering support to those who are fighting the good fight.

The students also got to know some of the adults who were on hand representing the RFL. Among those were survivors such as Motely, who is a 36 year survivor; Larry Simonson, who is a five-year survivor, and Becky Maxwell, who is fighting the good fight even now and is a recent survivor.

At the school event there were stations set up in various locations where kids could learn about the various factors that can cause cancer. The stations included information about use of sun screen to avoid skin cancer.

In another classroom at the school, Janelle Jennings from the American Cancer Society spoke with students about the perils of smoking and urged youth to not start a nasty habit that could impact the chances that they too may someday have to battle the effects of cancer.

In addition to lessons learned, there were several fun activities, including relay style walking around the gymnasium or track, and doing exercises that drove home the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that with proper diet and plenty of exercise can help prevent cancer.

In all, the event was a fun and educational day that brought in a healthy donation to the local Relay for Life, making it a win, win, and winning day for all.

Northwest School and Adams School will combine on May 23rd for another Relay Recess. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Northwest School.

[Photos by Mitch Douglas, text by Nila Smith]