by Nereyda Espinoza,FHS Senior and Eagle Beat managing editor
Millions of people suffer from over 100 types of cancer, and over 600,000 people are expected to die from this uncontrollable plague. To show support for the people suffering from this devastating disease, the community wears pink to every October football game to spread awareness about the harsh reality of cancer.
The Pink Out pep rally was held last Friday, and the Pink Out game will be on Friday against Mexia here at 7:30 p.m. Beta club started the pink out in memory of Jonya Anderson Schuman, the Beta president in 1988.
“Schuman passed away May 29, 2012 from complications of breast cancer and she fought the battle for 6 years and had beat it once,” Beta club sponsor and math teacher Michelle Welch said. “When it came back, it came back with a vengeance.”
Welch started the fundraiser in 2012 with the club and since then has given over $25K to the cancer support group here. The beta club will keep $500 for a senior scholarship.
“Our friendship lasted a lifetime and her joy for life was like no other,” Welch said. “One of the last conversations we had she told me over dealing with my son’s illness and life, that ‘you give me cause to reach for greatness’ and I hope to always be able to honor her memory with the Beta Club Scholarship in her memory.”
This year, the fundraiser raised $1500. The money goes to Freestone County Cancer Support Group, and this year they will donate to Beta member and 2016 graduate of FHS Blake Lopez as well. Lopez developed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in August.
“Blake is an outstanding kid who was born and raised here in Fairfield,” Welch said. “The Beta Club chose to honor him this year due to his membership in Beta and outstanding character while a student here at FHS.”
Last Friday, Lopez and his family along with freshman Dakota Maynes, senior Joe Brandon Maynes, and their mom were recognized by elementary librarian Besty Monico in the pep rally. The Maynes brothers presented their mom with a cash donation that they earned.
“The love they showed their mom touched the entire gym,” Monico said. “Pink Out is special. Mrs. Welch has a big heart! Cancer hurts us all, but what she does with this event – helps us all heal.”
