On March 22, Manheim Central Middle School (MCMS) held its annual Mini-THON fundraiser. After weeks and weeks of tireless work and effort from Manheim's seventh- and eighth-grade Student Council, everything came together for a night to fight against childhood cancer. The Student Council members decided to select a theme for Mini-THON that would reflect what the students wanted. After asking around, they concluded that the students wanted a neon, glow-in-the-dark theme for 2019 Mini-THON.
The Mini-THON fundraiser helped collect donations for Four Diamonds, an organization started in 1972 to help families and their children fight childhood cancer. Charles and Irma Millard lost their son Christopher to cancer, and since then they have made it their legacy to share their son's story. Before he passed away, Christopher created a tale about a knight who went on to discover four diamonds, which he used to fight an evil sorceress. The four diamonds symbolized four key attributes that Christopher and his family believed were necessary to overcoming cancer. Unfortunately, Christopher lost his battle shortly after creating this story.
The night of Mini-THON started off with pizza and beverages, and the event quickly shifted into an all-around dance party. As the sun went down and the neon strobe lights came shining down, the party picked up. Students also had a blast in the gymnasium, where nine-square and an inflatable bouncy obstacle course put some athletes to the test. The halls were filled with activities, too. Cornhole, Spikeball, and foosball were some fun ways for students to calm down after an intense game of nine-square. For some of the more crafty partygoers, the fifth- and sixth-grade hub area was turned into a crafters' corner where students could make origami or cards for children having a rough time with their treatments.
This year's Mini-THON guest speakers were the Linder family and Jake Kauffman, all of whom were supported by Four Diamonds throughout their experiences with cancer.
Matt Linder and his family were hit with the tragic news of their daughter's tumor just two years ago. In less than 24 hours, she was rushed into surgery to get the tumor removed from her liver. The Linders truly didn't know what to do. That's when they got help from Four Diamonds. They never received a bill while their daughter was recovering.
Jake had been fighting a brain tumor since his late teenage years. He believes that everything Four Diamonds has done for him and other people has been a tremendous help.
Thirteen-year-old Kathryn Holsinger, a member of the seventh- and eighth-grade Student Council, helped organize the 2019 Mini-THON. "I think Mini-THON is a great cause and every school should do this," she said. According to organizers, Mini-THON alone in the past year has raised more than $7 million for Four Diamonds.
Mr. Peters, a seventh-grade history teacher, said that Mini-THON is "an awesome event that helped bring our seventh and eighth grades together."
"Dancing brought people together," said eighth-grader Lexy Compton. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness and donations for cancer, and the students were sure to keep that in mind the entire night.
Mini-THON also brought out a lot of energy from the students and staff, with people jumping and laughing and smiling - all for a cause. "This event has brought out a lot of positive energy," said James Simpkins, a seventh-grader attending Mini-THON.
Mini-THON shows that little things that the students do can go a long way toward helping someone. When two grade levels work as one to achieve one goal, it makes attending the resulting event that much more worth it.
The goal this year was to raise $12,000 for Four Diamonds. Not only did MCMS crush that goal, but it exceeded it by $1,000. All of that money will go toward Four Diamonds and toward finding a cure.
The Mini-THON quote that was printed on the back of the bright-orange T-shirts created by Nichole Peffly and Megan Garber and worn by students the night of the event stands true: "One day we will dance in celebration. ... Until then, we will dance for a cure."
Allyson Gray is a seventh-grader at Manheim Central Middle School. She enjoys Chinese food and Fall Out Boy, and she aspires to be a dentist.
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