This February, Southern Lehigh High School students have spent much of their time raising money for Pennies for Patients. This annual campaign raises funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the largest voluntary organization dedicated to funding research and finding cures for blood cancer patients. The campaign lasts for three weeks.

“I am very excited to see the entire school come together to raise this money, and showcase it at the pep rally on March 9,”  junior Vanessa Oviedo, fundraiser co-president, said. “We are raising this money for a very good cause, and we are also having fun along the way.”

The fundraiser is led by the juniors of the National Honor Society. This year they aim to break last year’s record of $4,500.01. To raise money, the fundraising team has sold cookies, spinners, and raffle tickets to participate in the pep rally. The group has also been working closely with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“[As head of public relations], my tasks consist of maintaining contact with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, ensuring our school’s chapter of Pennies for Patients maintains a social media presence, and sharing our message with the rest of the school and the community,” junior Sean Duane, head of public relations, said.

Similar to last year, the fundraiser will culminate in a pep rally aimed at celebrating donation milestones. The NHS recruited 16 staff members to participate in the pep rally, with each milestone occurring in $1,000 increments.

When donations reach $1,000, a pie in the face will land upon French teacher Mrs. Kaytlyn Byers, business teacher Mrs. JoAnn Peralta, Spanish teacher Ms. Jessica Swartz, Chinese teacher Mrs. Patricia Gouck, and English teachers Mrs. Lauren Tocci, Mrs. Kelly Howsare, and Mrs. Sheryl Ciotti.

At the $2,000 mark, assistant principals Mrs. Beth Guarriello and Mr. Thomas Ruhf will eat gross foods. At $3,000 science teachers Mr. Ed Sinkler and Mr. Jeremy Deyton will face-off sumo-wrestler style.  

A step up to $4,000 leads to principal Mrs. Christine Siegfried and Officer Brian McLaughlin getting slimed. The final goal, $5,000, is a rap battle between math teacher Mr. Ryan Haupt and English teacher Mr. Joseph Castagna.

“It’s a really great cause since [Leukemia] is the number one cancer to affect children,”  NHS adviser Mrs. Lynne Kelly said. “We encourage everyone to support this cause through the school because it helps those in need, when just the little bit we give helps so much.”