Channel Islands High School Students Support cancer research; big turnout at relay for life

On Saturday, October 13 in an effort to provide service to their community, twenty Channel Islands High School students braved the cold, rainy weather to particpate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Representing two student organizations, along with their parents, one teacher, and one administrator, these dedicated teenagers turned out in force to support cancer research at the Relay for Life held at Adolfo Camarillo High School during the 24 hours between 10 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday.

The students represented the True Color Alliance and the Associated Student Body of Channel Islands High School. Channel Islands was the only high school with an obvious presence at the Relay.

Shaded by their blue and gold official Channel Islands High School canopy, the group welcomed new participants throughout the day and evening and walked around the track hand in hand, sporting their white and lavender event T-shirts. Arriving early Saturday morning, the group brought home made burgers with all the trimmings, fruit, cold waters and other snacks to sustain themselves throughout the entire 24-hour event.

They cheered as the purple-shirted cancer survivors marched around the track and were especially supportive of their teacher-advisor, Barbara Barnett, who marched in the crowd as a recent survivor of cervical cancer. Barnett, who teaches at CI and is advisor to the True Color Alliance, commented that she wishes to give back to the organizations that helped her through her illness.In particular she mentioned the Wellness Community of Thousand Oaks/Westlake as a source of ongoing support for her recovery.

We asked some of the CI students why they came out today to the Relay for Life, and here are their comments:

"CI has a new principal this year, Dr. Rocky Valles, and he has a great vision for our school.We came out here and raised the money because we want to do community service and we want to support Dr. Valles' vision for our school, which is to make CI into a California Distinguished School,"said Crystal Garcia, one of the principal student organizers of the group and vice-president of the TCA.

"Part of our club's constitution is that we will give back to our community through charity,because we want to show solidarity with all people who have struggles in their lives.Participating in the Relay for Life was one way we could help support our community," commented Caitlin Merrill, president of CI's True Color Alliance.Explaining the club she represents, Caitlin said, "True Color Alliance is a group that provides a safe place at our school for students to express who they really are."

Bobby Becerra, commissioner of community service activities for the Associated Student Body at CI, commented, "I participated today in memory of the loved ones in my family who have passed away from cancer and for those who have survived it. I also want to thank all my wonderful classmates from CI who came out today to donate time and money toward this worthy cause."

James Shirley, member of ASB and TCA at CI, said, "I am participating to support those people who have cancer; I donated money toward research to help them.I also want to show appreciation for Channel Islands High School for caring enough to do this.I want to show this community that CI is a great school."

Teacher-Advisor Barnett said, "CI's participation was organized entirely by these dedicated students and their parents who came out to participate, too.Their enthusiasm is awesome! We have the best students and parents ever.I want to thank them and also thank Mr. Randolph Ortiz, assistant principal, who provided the canopy and lots and lots of support and enthusiasm to help us get set up today."

The two organizations together raised $420, exceeding their stated goal by 200%. Way to go, Channel Island High School! You rock!And we believe you are surely on your way to becoming a "California Distinguished School."