HHS Alumni Returning for
Relay for Life
They may have moved on to college, but dozens of Huntington High School alumni will be returning to their alma mater for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on June 9-10 at Blue Devil Stadium. The cause is just too important for them not to come back.
While the exact number of alums that will attend the Relay for Life is still fluid as more graduates sign on each day, many have made firm commitments to participate in the initiative on one of several teams that have already formed.
The Alumninators of 2011 include team captain Shira Moskowitz along with Louie Contino, Matthew Curley, Diana Frank, Sean Harkins, Ben Jensen, Ryan Pavelka, Dylan Tuozzo Alexandra Kiley and Allison Wieland.
"As alumni, we jumped at the chance to have our own team for this year's Relay for Life," said Ms. Moskowitz, a University of Michigan freshman. "I was a captain of one of Huntington's Relay for Life teams last year through the National Honor Society and had a great time. I am so proud that our school is finally hosting our own Relay. My friends and I knew that as alumni it is important that we show our support for an event that is surely going to bring our community together. Although, many of my teammates and I are off in other parts of the country, the Huntington community is still an integral part of our lives and played a huge role in shaping the people we have become. Creating a team is the least we can do to give back. In addition, many of our friends and family have been affected by cancer and we want to do anything we can to fight this disease and fund the research to do so."
Felt the Personal Connection
Ms. Frank is completing her freshman year at Tulane University and she looking forward to participating in what is shaping up to be an incredible event at Huntington High School. "I'm participating in this year's Relay for Life with the alumni because I have lost someone close to me to cancer and, sadly, I think I can say most people have been affected by cancer in one way or another," Ms. Frank said. "It's a terrible disease and I will do whatever I can to help stop it."
Mr. Curley is equally determined to do his part in the campaign to eradicate cancer. The 2011 Huntington alum is finishing his freshman year at Loyola University Maryland and he can't wait to join with fellow grads on June 9-10
"I got the chance to participate in the Relay for Life event at Loyola and it was amazing," Mr. Curley said. "I got to hear so many stories and talk to people who have been affected by cancer. I've never had anybody close to me have cancer, but I think it's important to support such a great cause."
While it might not have been cancer, serious illness is something Mr. Curley has experienced in dramatic fashion. "I personally have been affected by something life-threatening when I had double pneumonia and sepsis last June and I know that every dollar contributes to the research for a cure," he said. "I felt the personal connection with giving back. When I was in the hospital, so many people came to support me, and I feel like Relay for Life allows me to do the same. Relay for Life is something we can all come together for as a community and I am eagerly anticipating it. I can't wait to see the turnout it brings!"
Grandmother Succumbed to Lung Cancer
Mr. Contino, another key member of the Class of 2011, was among the Huntington contingent at last year's Relay for Life at Northport High School. "I really enjoyed last year's event so I am excited to participate again," said the Emerson College freshman. "The one instance that really inspired me to make a difference was when my grandmother passed away due to severe lung cancer. I used to visit her twice a week until cancer took her a way. Cancer has taken a lot of family members from me, so this is an important issue that needs as much attention as possible."
Carrie Fante, Huntington's 2011 valedictorian, is the captain of the Amazing Alumni team, which includes 2011 salutatorian Michelle Byrne and class members Cristina Badalamenti, Danielle Cerezo, John Coffey and Meghan Rowland. Additional 2011 grads are expected to join the team this week.
"I'm participating in this year's Relay for Life because I had such a positive experience with it last year," said Ms. Fante, a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. "I think last year when the National Honor Society participated in the Northport/ East Northport relay, we got a better idea of how it works and we all really wanted host a relay in Huntington. I'm so proud of this year's students for bringing relay to Huntington and I can't wait to be at the event to see how all their hard work has turned out.
Why She Relays
Ms. Cerezo, a freshman at SUNY Geneseo is anxious to return to Huntington and be among the hundreds of participants. "I relay for all of those who have ever been in my life who were touched by cancer," she said. "I've participated in Relay for Life three times and each time has brought me more hope than I ever thought possible. I am excited to see what the National Honor Society accomplishes in June!"
A freshman at Sacred Heart University, Ms. Badalamenti is also a veteran of the event. "I'm participating on the alumni team for Relay for Life because it's a fun experience for a great cause," she said. "I participated in Northport's Relay last year with the National Honor Society and it was one of the highlights of the year! It was like having one big sleepover with the community! I'm looking forward to taking part in this year's Relay with the other alumni from the class of 2011."
A team of Class of 2010 members is still organizing. It will be captained by Johanna Clifford, a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Clifford's sister, Marie, a Huntington High School senior, is playing an integral role in organizing this year's event.
Reconnect with Friends
Dillon Blatt is the captain of the Class of 2009 team, which so far includes Christine Corcoran, Kristy Lyons, Kara Grossman, Allie Conlon, Nick Sammartano and Kenny Holden.
Mr. Blatt, a senior at Binghamton University, has been in constant contact with fellow Huntington grads about the big June gathering. "I decided to organize an alumni team for this year's Relay for Life event because I felt that it would be a great way to reconnect with friends while giving our support to a worthy cause," he said.
"I was so excited to hear about Relay for Life at HHS," said Ms. Corcoran, a junior at the University of Delaware. "Dillon Blatt invited me to join the Class of 2009 team and I immediately signed up. I participated in Relay for Life a couple of weeks ago here at UD and it was so much fun! I know many people, both friends and family, who have been affected by cancer so I'm passionate about helping raise money and awareness about this terrible disease. I'm looking forward to being back at HHS to Relay in June!"
Ms. Grossman, a Tulane University junior, quickly responded to Mr. Blatt's shout-out to his friends and former classmates sign on to the team he has formed. "One of my best family friends has had a recent and awful battle with cancer, so the cause is very important to me and I'm so excited to come back to the high school to support it," she said.