News - Main Story

Relay for Life begins preparation for 2008 event (11/30/07)

Story by Cindy Liu, '09

Despite her five layers of clothing, junior Jie Geng shivered. It was 3 a.m. May 19, and she and a few others were walking around the track of UAHS as music blared from the sound system set up on the turf. Snuggling deeper into her jacket, she passed the multitude of luminarias—little white bags lit by candles—which bore the names of those who had lost their lives to cancer, flickering on the bleachers, spelling out the word “cure.”

Geng, now a senior, and many others were only a part of an annual, worldwide event that helps in the fight against cancer. May 18 and 19 marked UA and Grandview’s first Relay for Life as the communities joined the American Cancer Society’s most celebrated event to help raise cancer awareness and funds for cancer research.

According to ACS representative Robby Stephens, everyone interested will have the opportunity to learn more about the 2008 RFL—which will be on May 16 and 17­—firsthand by attending the RFL Open House Dec. 3 at the Tremont branch library from 6-8 p.m.

Stephens said the Open House will allow people to register for a variety of activities at the 2008 event: form teams, volunteer the day of the event, fill vacant committee positions, and help as sub-committee members. Stephens also said the $10 registration fee will be waived for individuals who attend the open house.

UAHS media specialist and RFL committee member Laura Piazza said it is important for everyone interested in RFL to get involved as soon as possible.

“A lot goes into a RFL event,” she said. “For example, I already know that I need eight confirmed volunteers for this year’s event. Last year, I only had four people helping me, and it was very difficult.

“Anyone who is interested can start coming to committee meetings [at the Tremont branch library],” Piazza said.

The 2007 UA-Grandview relay was an 18-hour walk that consisted of five months of planning and contributions from the community, which helped raise over $20,000. This year, the RFL committee has even greater hopes for the event.

Piazza said RFL is a great opportunity for the entire community to participate in the fight against cancer.

Piazza said, “If everyone gives a little—a little money, a little time—I’m sure that we can beat this disease.”

Likewise, senior Jeehee Ha, a cancer survivor and RFL committee member, encouraged more involvement from the community. She said she enjoyed how the UA-Grandview event had so much student involvement—something that she had never seen before at other RFL events she had attended.

“It was really great to see how the whole community was actively involved—not just the adults,” Ha said. “I hope [RFL] will grow bigger as more people get involved this year.”

As a survivor, Ha said she is very grateful for the help her family received from ACS when she was diagnosed with cancer as a young child. She said RFL gave her a chance to give back to ACS for everything they did for her family to help save her life.

To make stories like Ha’s come true, Piazza also encouraged everyone to think about why they should contribute to RFL—whether it is by spreading the news or volunteering.

“Some of the greatest life experiences comes when you try your best to help. RFL is a great opportunity to gain skills and learn lessons that you can’t get from doing something you get paid for,” Piazza said. “Participating in RFL isn’t just another charity event; you do get something back, and one day, it could be for you. Cancer affects everyone, and you never know when that next phone call could be.”

 

Panic at the Max (11/30/07)

Unexpected fire abruptly ends Halloween-themed ‘Monster’ Max party

Story by Amanda Jones, '09

The Max, a group formed November 2006 to address the underage drinking problem in UA, has held several events and parties for students to enjoy—most recently an Oct. 25 Halloween-themed party at the Swim and Racquet Club on Kenny Road. However, what started as a night of Halloween fun ended frighteningly with the outbreak of a small fire.

The event was moved to Swim and Racquet due to the unavailability of the Max’s previous venue at the old Steinmart in Kingsdale Center. Ironically, the Max could no longer use Steinmart because it did not meet the fire standards for the increasing size of the event,” senior coordinator Allie Fitz said.

The fire at Swim and Racquet began around 10 p.m. Although students saw no smoke in the building until after the evacuation, freshman Caroline Stechison said she smelled smoke in some areas.

“Once I was on the main floor, I could smell smoke. I joked with my friends that there was probably a fire, and then the DJ told everyone to evacuate,” Stechison said.
According to principal Kip Greenhill, the fire occurred on the lower level of the building inside the floor.

“A gas line ended up breaking, and it ignited and burned the floor boards,” Greenhill said.
Despite the tendency of fires to incite panic, most remained calm and collected while evacuating.

“Everyone remained calm during the evacuation. It wasn’t until everyone was out that we started to see smoke,” Fitz said.

Greenhill also commented on the calm demeanor of the students attending.

“I couldn’t have been more pleased with the students’ behavior. They were very receptive to the directions given to them,” Greenhill said.

As a safety precaution, once the scene was evacuated, police closed Kenny Road to non-emergency traffic, forcing students to wait on the tennis courts.

“Students waited for about 45 minutes. We couldn’t risk having students going back to the scene,” Greenhill said.

Although the wait on the courts was to protect the safety of the students, Stechison said the precaution seemed to be unnecessary.

“It was really boring and cold,” Stechison said. “I wish they would have sent us home; it’s not like we would have tried to go back in. We were basically waiting for nothing.”

Despite the disastrous outcome, the Max has other events planned, and they will not face postponement.

“Nothing has been postponed,” Fitz said. “There is a holiday Max planned, but the location [and date] are still to be decided.”

 

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