On Friday, 7th February, the student population of Cayman Academy took to the streets in support of Cancer and Alzheimer patients island-wide during their annual Cancer and Alzheimer Stride. Dressed in purple and white, students strode from their campus to the Cancer society and back. While at the Cancer Society students sang, prayed and presented cheques to both charities.
On hand to receive a cheque for $3,200 was Ms Jenifer Webber, operations manager at the Cancer Society. During her address to the students, Ms Webber mentioned that this year was the 25th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. Over the last 25 years, the focus was on early detection, awareness and education. However, for the next 25 years, the society will be emphasising prevention. Ms Webber also reminded students that together, we are making a difference. Also on hand was Mr Philip Scott, treasurer of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association, who received the donation of $1,500 for that organisation. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the love shown by the students’ presence and hard work in collecting the funds. Cheques were presented by Jonela McLean and Michael McKogg, respectively.
To show support were students, teachers, PTA representatives, School Principal, Dr O’Neil Duncan, Pastor Andrew Campbell, executive secretary for the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Primary School Director, Alison Copeland and Sofia Barrett-Hamilton, school’s charities coordinator.
The school honoured six students for having collected over $200 each. Among top collectors were Jonela McLean (highest contributor), Roger Alex Johnson II, Amiah Robinson, Garnicia Edgar, LaWanda Williams and Devontae Frederick. Year 4 Trail and Year 12 Morgan ranked as the classes with the highest contributions.
Mrs Hamilton stated: “This initiative is one of the tools used to teach students to become agents of social change and to engender empathy in our students”.
By: Sofia Barrett-Hamilton. Devarro Whittaker l Edited by Nelda Dracket l Photo credit: Devarro Whittaker
