The students in Sharon Meyer’s sixth-grade class at the Becker Middle School know more than many kids their age do about the devastating effects cancer can have on a family. Two of their classmates have lost their mothers to the deadly disease in recent years, and their teacher is herself a 12-year cancer survivor.
And so they decided that they would do something about it. Parker Seeley lost his Mom, Deanna, in September, 2010, while his classmate Justine Bruska’s Mom, Lisa, lost her battle with breast cancer in May of 2012. Deanna Seeley had been the “Honorary Survivor” at the 2010 Becker Relay for Life®, while Lisa Bruska had travelled to Washington D.C. at the invitation of President Barack Obama, who had been moved by the story of the Becker “teacher of the year” honoree who had also lost her job to budget cuts while fighting cancer.
Parker, Justine and the other students in their class, along with help from his Grandmother, Fran Seeley, a former chairperson of the Becker Relay for Life®, the students put together a program they titled “Change for a Change”, in which they would bring in all of the change they could find, with the goal of filling a large plastic jug with money that they would donate to the American Cancer Society. Also in the class are Fallon and Jackson Peterson, Fan Seeley’s great niece and nephew, who are also on her “Building Towards A Cure” relay team.
Beginning in April the student project raised a total of $70.72, which Justine and Parker presented to Fran Seeley during a program in their in their classroom Wednesday afternoon. Parker also addressed his classmates during the program, explaining some of the activities that take place at the relay each year, including the “Luminaria”, illuminated bags which donors decorate with the names, and sometimes photos, of family and friends who have battled cancer.
The 2014 Becker Relay for Life® will take place on Friday, July 11, with the opening ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the Becker Middle School.
