... Getting On Track II T he idea is that cancer never sleeps, so for 24 hours we won't either," Harding Relay for Life director senior Whitney Booth said. This year was Harding's first year hosting a Relay for Life event. Relay for Life was a big fundraiser where people came out and de – vised various activities to raise money for the American Cancer Soci– ety. Teams were created by a number of different groups ranging from social clubs, Bible study groups, on - campus organizations and others to raise money. Teams set up tents that sold items, or let people participate in dif– ferent ways in order to raise money . Pi Theta Phi's tent allowed visi – tors to make tea cups, Gamma Sigma Phi had a talent show, and Chi Omega Pi sold baked goods, just to name a few . There was even a rock wall for people to climb and a limo that would drive people around town. The Relay attracted many people to work, some of which were based on personal levels. A few years ago , Booth lost a great aunt to cancer. After that , while at another college, Booth was given the opportunity to be the chair for her college for the Relay for Life event that was taking place in that community. " I did it for two years at the other schoo!," Booth said . "Then when 1 came here, 1was thinking 'Why doesn't Harding do something like this?' 1 mean, it has all the resources; the campus has the heart to do it. So J called up the American Cancer Society and they put me in touch with someone and it went from there." Sophomore D rew Ater, member of Gamma Sigma Phi, was given the position as captain for his social club's team in the Relay for Life. Ater's grandmother died of breast cancer and during the beginning of this year his mom was in the process of finding out if she had it. 'Tm going to try to [be a part of Relay for Life next year]," Ater said. "1 want to, especially with my mom dealing with it now. We want to have more people involved with it. The more people get involved, the more money gets raised, anything to raise awareness and help out the cause." Other activities took place other than the team tents. Bands came and performed, there was a silent auction, a dance off and a lumi – nary ceremony. After dark, luminaries were placed around the track in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer and in honor of those that were survivors. The relay part came from the idea that teams get people to sponsor them to walk around the track; at least one person from each team had to be walking on the track at all times. This event lasted through the night. The relay had an overall theme and each team had to go off of that theme . Prizes were awarded for best dressed, best themed, most money raised , best decorated and so on. "Relay for life was a lot of fun and I hope that we can do it again next year, " Chi Omega Pi leader, sophomore Courtney Carter said. In the end, Harding's Relay for Life raised over $3,000 , all of which stayed locally and went towards research, getting cancer patients to their appointments, purchasing wigs and continuing advocacy. Even though this was the first year for this event at Hard– ing it sparked interest in many and had plans to continue in the future. ' 'I'm excited for next year," Booth said . "This was a guinea pig, so next year should be bigger and better ." Steven Chandler Sophomores Aaron Young and Logan Nickleson perform on Oct. 2 while people wa lked around the track during Relay for life. Both Young and Nickleson were members of the band "From the Hol low," along with sophomores Tyler Jones and Craig Featherstone. Kylie Akins Seniors Jon David Adams and John Snyder represented TNT on Oct. 2 at Relay for life. TNT's theme was from the 90's television show Doug. Kylie Akins Luminaries in the shope of HOPE were lit on Oct. 2 to honor the memory of cancer victims. Each luminary had a specifiC person's name on the bag on that Friday. Kylie Akins Sophomores Stephanie Brown, Devon Fulbright and Evelyn Poteet take their lap around the track at the start of the night on Oc t. 2. Each club made a banner to represent their club and theme. Ky/ie Akins 244 social clubs
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