Sault school brings in biggest haul yet for cancer fundraiser

It was a record-setting year for Superior Heights at its third bi-annual Relay for Life event in support of cancer research.

The event, which included 300 participants, saw students and staff participate in numerous activities over a 12-hour stretch, including a scavenger hunt, yard games, flag football, live music, a dunk tank, themed laps in addition to the iconic luminary ceremony to remember those lost to cancer — and those continuing their fight.

The event raised a total of $73,637.71.

“Our goal in organizing the Relay for Life event is always to raise money and help the Cancer Society but it is also about supporting our school community and continuing to build on the family culture at Superior Heights," said Shawna Wootton, staff coordinator of the event. "We have several staff and students who have been touched by cancer, too many, and we want them to know we support them, and we did that very successfully this year. We had students from our Intermediate program, our Community Education program, our high school program, teaching staff, support staff, administration, siblings, family members and neighbours from the community all participate at some point during the event. We even had some minor football teams who were practicing on our side field take a knee and join us for our survivor lap.”

The event was organized by a group of 19 students from grade 10-12, with the help from their teachers. The event is student driven with all activities, sponsors, kick off assembly and registration process led by the team. 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for student leadership and we have a tremendous number of leaders in our building.  That is the reason we have been so successful,” Wootton said. 

The event was one of a group of similar events put on by all the high schools locally.

White Pines held their first ever Relay for Life event, raising $20,000 in the process while CASS ran their second raising $20,000,

St Mary's ran their second event with their donations still open and having raised almost $50,000 so far.

Korah has run a number of Relays over the years and ran their first during the day, raising $37,000 in the process.

Collectively, the Sault Ste. Marie high schools raised over $200,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society this year.