Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2011, Page 94

Description:	IPlavinciTeams raise money for breastcancer awareness during games.The typical high school sports teams face challenges such as playing in bitter rivalries, running suicides in practice, and pushing to make it to sectional championships. However, whathappens when they square off against an opponent like breast cancer? Full crowds showsupport, valuable dollars are earned, and rewarding feelings are felt by all.*Tt feels good raising money for a really good cause, junior and golf team member Abby Rogerssaid.The girls volleyball, golf and basketball teams face off against breast cancer each year in thecompetition for a cure. The strategies in this competition differ. The golf team carries cans aroundthe week before their match in hopes for donations from peers, the volleyball team sells pinkribbons to students, and the basketball team holds a Coaches and Players versus Cancer night.However, the ultimate goal is common - raising money and awareness.I When people see a sports team [recognizing a cause] it makes more ot an impression, saidjunior Erin Kinzer. People realize something needs to be done.For some, the cause hits home. Junior Margaret Birchler, a member of the volleyball team, hasbeen personally affected by the opponent, breast cancer. Birchlers mother was diagnosed withbreast cancer five years ago and has had a long fight with the disease. She is now honored annually at the teams Dig Pink night, sometiiing that means a lot to both Birchler and her mom.Everyone gets into it but for me its different, Birchler said. My mom gets mentioned, and itmakes me happy knowing shes surviving it. I tjhink it makes my mom happy too, that we do thisnight.The basketball team was also affected. Head coach Alana Harrington was recendy diagnosedwith breast cancer, bringing a more personal connection to the cause the team is recognizing.It means more to us this year since our coach has cancer, Kinzer said. Someone close to uswas going through the same tiring, it made us stronger.Overall the teams find many rewards in focusing on something bigger than just a victory.It makes the team work for sometiiing other than just winning a match, Rogers said.Story by Rose CowanLining up herdrive, junior RachelTurner practices herdrive in the matchagainst Whiteland.[The best part is]just being with allmy friends on theteam, Turner said.Photo by HannahLukemeyerDuring SYMPHONI practice, senior Younghoon Koh andsophomore Sam Spevak work on a song. SYMPHONI playsfor retirement homes. I joined Symphoni to help enrichmy high school music career, and to share some wonderfulmusic with others in the community, Spevak said.Photo by Rachel Thickstun000
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/7087
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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