I have always believed that White Marsh Elementary School was more than a school community, that it was a family. Now I have proof that it is a family. The staff, students, and parents truly care for and support one another in more ways than I have ever imagined. Each year, White Marsh supports a Relay For Life team. We have always done well with fundraising events and have shown strong participation for this fantastic cause. This year, the WMES family got behind one of our own and the newly named Team Gail showed everyone that we wouldn’t let cancer mess with our family.

Our largest event would have to be Relay Recess, which was our student version of Relay For Life. More than 200 students participated in the event held on June 1 after Field Day. All we asked from them in order to participate was to raise $5. Some students went above and beyond that amount. Thank you to our top fundraisers for the school: Ryan Cord, Stephen Suite, Madison Tennyson, Johnathan Connelly, Daniel Knoodle, Austin Carter, Turner Mudd, Carlie Ward, Natalie Davis, A.J. Jenkins, Amelia Mudd, Nathan Lewis and Seth Baker all raised more than $100 on their own.

Each grade level team also did a group fundraiser: Kindergarten held a penny drive, first grade a bake sale, second grade LifeSavers, third grade “pie in the face,” fourth grade a crab raffle and fifth grade a school dance. Thank you to all of the team members who organized these events. The fourth-grade class would like to thank Jimmy and Theresa Suite’s family for donating a bushel of crabs for the raffle.

I want to also thank the parents who stayed to help and participate in our walk as well as Dora Zimmerman, Amanda Parrish, Faith Davis and Julie Tillman for leading the set-up team while the kids held their class picnics. A huge thank you to Janice Batts for acting as our accountant the day of the event and making sure everyone got credit for their fundraising efforts.

Our Relay Recess was not just about fundraising. We wanted the students to experience what our team is able to experience at the Relay For Life event. They were able to participate in stations that promoted healthy living and they could also remember or honor a loved one who has dealt with cancer.

Our principal, Luchrisha Flowers, was very supportive of the students having a true Relay event and she led our Fight Back Ceremony where we concluded two of our fundraisers, heard some early totals, and team members were able to share with the students why they “Relay”. Gail Beavers, the heart of Team Gail, shared her story of the past year and many in the crowd were moved to tears by her bravery.

This year, we had our second staff versus parents kickball game. The impending rain did not stop us. We had a great turnout and all had a fun time. Thank you to the parents who joined us for the game. We promise next year we will try to go easy on you.

We also had businesses in the community support our Relay For Life team. We would like to thank Fiesta Café in Mechanicsville for hosting two school spirit days for us. As always, we thank Rita’s of Charlotte Hall. Every year Rita’s supports our team with a fabulous spirit night. The owners and staff are always so welcoming and gracious that it is always a wonderful fundraiser.

Finally, I want to thank all of my teammates. I was so moved this year by your helpful attitudes, your winning spirits and your devotion to our family. I am so proud of the work put forth by each of you. You are the heart and soul of the White Marsh Elementary School. Thank you my team: Janice Batts, Gail Beavers, Christina Caperones, Jennifer Cord, Kirk and Faith Davis, Lori DeBolt, Luchrisha Flowers, Kristen Frill, Kelly and Tanner Haynes, Courtney Igoe, Dawn McCarthy, Karen Myers, Amanda Parrish, Donna and Katie Pearson, Kelly Peterson, Mark Pickeral, Dee Smith, Julie Tillman, Loretta and Victoria Tyler, Cammie van Dalen, Kelly and Caitlyn Vanhoozier, and Phyllis Watters.

Dawn Eagan, Lexington Park

The writer is a fourth-grade teacher at 4th grade teacher at White Marsh Elementary School.