Regional Students Set to Relay, Fight Cancer

While the West Morris Regional High School District is one entity, its students are separated by two facilities– and Mendham High Schools–often only being brought together during sporting events.

But when the annual Relay For Life event culminates on June 15 this year, more than 1,500 students and community members involved in the district will come together for a common goal; to raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

Students from both schools will work as a team and spend the entire night of June 15 into June 16 walking around the track at Central. There will never be a time when a participant is not walking, and all the students have vowed to awake the entire night.

English teachers Laura Pelizzoni and Debbie Gonzalez, of Mendham and Central, respectively, are the advisors for the project. The event will host a sit-down dinner for cancer survivors prior to the relay, and will be followed by a luminara-candle ceremony, which is open to the public.

Student chairpersons of the group presented their goals and mission to the regional board of education Monday night, explaining personal stories and the successes of the program.

Ten years ago, Central junior Kiera Montgomery’s mother was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. Montgomery, who was just 6 years old at the time, explained what she felt at the time and how hard the following months were, watching her mother undergo surgery and chemotherapy.

Montgomery’s mother–who also went to West Morris Central–came through and has been cancer-free since the original diagnosis.

“I relay because I am lucky and know not everyone’s loved one’s survive,” Montgomery said.

From family members to friends and teachers and coaches, students throughout the group named why they take part in the relay.

The group’s goal in 2011 was to raise $120,000, which was exceeded as funds topped $135,000. The group won third place for funds raised per capita nationwide last year. Goals for 2012 are $130,000, and the group hopes to exceed that as well, it said.

To find out more about the West Morris Regional Relay For Life and how to contribute or take part, go here.