Old Saybrook High School 7th Annual Cancer Walk May 23, 2008

Over 200 Students to Walk All Night in 12-Hour
7th Annual Walk to Cure Cancer in Old Saybrook

$30,000 Goal to Help Local Shoreline Families

DATE (S): Friday, May 23 to Saturday, May 24, 2008

TIME (S): from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

OPENING CEREMONY: at 6:00 p.m.

PLACE: Old Saybrook High School Track
1111 Boston Post Road,
Old Saybrook, Connecticut

GOALS: The overall goal of the event is to benefit those who have cancer or know someone with cancer and to honor survivors and those whom this disease has affected. The financial goal is to raise a minimum of $30,000 total from all the teams, to donate to local shoreline families in the community who have been affected by cancer and The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.



DESCRIPTION: There are 30 teams participating in the 7th Annual Walk to Cure Cancer, each of which has 10 members to a team. Participants include: Old Saybrook High School and Middle School students and faculty, cancer survivors and Old Saybrook community members. During the 12-hour walk 2 team members must be present on the tack at all times. The event will commence at 6:00 p.m. with opening ceremonies beginning at 6:00 p.m. featuring speakers who are survivors of cancer and leukemia. After speaking, they will proceed to complete the honorary first lap around the track. The event co-coordinators, Old Saybrook High School seniors Mary Sirico and Stephanie Turi will kick-off the walk and introduce the speakers.



Throughout the night; there will be live entertainment from local musicians, including the Old Saybrook High School Jazz Ensemble, Old Saybrook High School Select Vocal, The Goodwin Strings, and acoustic styling’s of Old Saybrook High School students. A luminaria around the track will take place between 8:00-8:30 p.m. and a candlelight vigil will be held at 12:00 midnight. The walk will conclude at 6:00 in the morning with a breakfast immediately afterwards.





HISTORY: Six years ago the Walk to Cure Cancer was started by Lauren Carpenter, class of 2002, as her W.I.S.E. project (Wise Individualized Senior Experience). Since Lauren’s walk the tradition has been carried on by: Caitlin O’Neill, Jen Bagnati, Megan Calmpett, Kelly O’Neill, Christa Sullivan, Samantha Sirico, Logan Forsey, Jessica Davis, Lizah Carey, and Jack Gallagher.



This year, in the 7th year of the Walk to Cure Cancer, seniors Mary Sirico and Stephanie Turi teamed up for their W.I.S.E project and wanted to continue a strong tradition from the previous six years. They have been successful in meeting their personal and financial goals for this event. They wanted to do something other then just help the cancer research; they wanted to give back to the community in their last year involved in the school system and community before they depart for college next year.



W.I.S.E.(Wise Individualized Senior Experience) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:



In order to participate, seniors must be in good academic stranding and must complete a proposal in front of the W.I.S.E Task Force. This is a unique opportunity for second semester seniors to participate in a project that allows them to earn academic credit and provide them with real life skills. This gives them the opportunity to work “hands on” with a mentor of their choice to work on a topic of their choice. Requirements include: a daily journal, 45 minute presentation upon completion, workshops, minimum of 80 hours, and weekly mentor meetings.



SCHOOL CONTACT: For more information, please contact:

Scott Schoonmaker, Principal

Old Saybrook High School, 111 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

(860) 395-3175



PUBLICITY PROVIDED BY:

Max Sabrin, Fire Police - O.S.F.D.
Media Relations / Special Events Coordinator / Old Saybrook Fire Department
Office 860.395.5550 / Cell: 860.857.5300
email: [email protected] www.oldsaybrookfire.com