The sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha joined together at Kent County High School on September 14 and 15, where the annual Relay for Life was hosted. Relay for Life is an eventful all-night walk-a-thon that runs from 6 p.m. until noon the following day to raise money for cancer research.
This is only one of many fundraisers that the sisters of ZTA participate in for their philanthropy of breast cancer awareness.
Junior Rebekah Beckett, ZTA's service chair, explained how it all began: "The planning started before school ended last year by setting up a team."
"I was the Team Captain - I attended the summer meetings and organized the ZTAs who were team members, as well as the other ZTAs who were there to man the booth and help raise money to donate at the end of Relay," explained sophomore ZTA Lindsey Wolfe.
Junior Moriah Geaghan said, "We all sign up for time slots to walk and run our booth at Relay for Life. Every sister spends around two hours at Relay."
Relay for Life included much more than walking around the track, as many sisters explained the different activities and fundraisers that they participated in.
Sophomore Amber Chester described that "all of the teams in Relay built a car that was displayed at the end of the race. [I] helped to put together little bags of candy to be sold during the relay as an additional fundraiser."
"I raised money for Relay for Life by asking friends to buy luminaries for people they know who have either died from or survived cancer," said senior Stephanie Humphrey. "At the Relay, I helped set up our table and tent, with a rainforest theme, and painted faces for the little kids."
Since Relay For Life is an all night event, "We needed to have at least one person walking at all times ... most of the girls had been there all night, so our 9 a.m. arrival was much welcomed," shared sophomore Tara Wagner.
"My involvement in Relay for Life is to be part of the really late night crew. We basically take over around one or two in the morning and revel in our sleep deprivation. We dance to Brittany Spears and Elvis impersonators," continued senior Tamanya Garza.
Another late night walker, senior Aja Jones, said that at about 1 a.m., "you are cold and tired but you don't care because you know that you are helping out with a great cause.
"It's also the only time you can get together with friends and sing songs loudly because other people participating know that you are having fun."
Many sisters shared their personal inspiring moments that they felt at Relay.
Junior Stephanie Duncan said that the luminary ceremony was one of the highlights of her evening: "I never knew that cancer had touched so many until I was walking around the track that was lined with luminaries in honor of loved ones who had or have cancer. I have never seen Kent County so united before."
"I felt very inspired for the time I was there. In the wake of the tragedy Tuesday, it was very refreshing to see so many people come out for this cause and to walk around this track while patriotic songs were sung with a country twang. To then watch at 9 a.m. when all the luminaries that surrounded the track were lit showing the names of so many people who had either survived or lost their battle with cancer, was also inspiring," shared junior Jennie Corwell.
Senior Katherine Kolacki commented, "I think it is a great way for the community to come together for a cause that has affected so many lives. As the luminaries spelled out, we must continue to walk with HOPE for a cure."
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