On Friday, March 29th Minarets High School kicked off Relay for Life. The event was a huge success thanks to the hard work that Ms. Therese Righter and Dr. Daniel Ching put into making this event extra special.
The event started with dinner served at the food court, provided by the Minarets Youth Wrestling team. They served pulled pork sandwiches and other snacks. Community participants had the opportunity to purchase any last minute luminarias through Minarets CSF for loved ones who have survived or passed away from cancer. While this occurred, Minarets Show Band put on a stunning performance for everyone to enjoy.
When it got dark, over 800 glow sticks were broken to light the luminarias for the Luminaria ceremony. This was led with a torch by Minarets very own Shockley family and who led the participants around the track, remembering and recognizing all names on the luminarias. After the Torch of Hope lap, Relay for Life truly began!
The night was filled with fun team games, a lip sync, and air guitar battle hosted by the Rivergold Leadership team, a nerf football toss hosted by Spring Valley, a road to recovery race hosted by the Insomniacs, scavenger hunt led by Minarets Cheer, and a dance class hosted by Minarets Key Club. All between these fun games were themed laps where teams could earn points. These laps included “decades”, where individuals would walk in hippie or retro outfits, “light the night”, everyone dressed in apparel that glew and flickered. The theme laps and team games ended around 2:00 am when everyone started off and got some rest for the long day ahead of them.
Several clubs were present at the event including Minarets Key Club, Minarets California Scholarship Federation (CSF), Minarets Cheer as well as YHS Service Clubs, Raley's. All in all, the event was magical for everyone who participated.
Survivors were recognized the following day with a lovely brunch meal, gifts from every team station, and a survivor lap where everyone cheered them on. Around forty survivors and caregivers were present at the event.
Overall, the event was a huge success thanks to the hard work of the Sierra Mountain Communities!