Raleigh students run 199-mile relay to raise cancer research funds
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A team of local students recently competed in the Hood to Coast relay race in Oregon and raised more than $67,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Twelve students from Ravenscroft High School competed as one of the 1,050 teams in the late-August race. Called the "Mother of all Relays," the course stretches nearly 200 miles through Oregon from Mount Hood to Seaside.
The Ravenscroft team, called Ravens in the Hood, was the highest fundraising team in the race and the only all-high school team to compete. This year, they collected $67,085. Ravens in the Hood has raised over $350,000 for the American Cancer Society since the team was formed in 2009.
Ravens in the Hood completed the relay in 27 hours and 50 minutes, placing 124th overall. This year's team members were Brett Haensel (Captain), Clay Baker, Rebecca Brandes, Bella Church, Nate Cohen, Frances Margaret Gehrke, Molly Hutter, Johnny Isley, Ben Kasierski, Grace Schmalz, Jaxson Stocks, and Sidney Vinson.
The students, as well as the school community, will be recognized by the American Cancer Society at the upcoming Pink Out football game on September 30th at Ravenscroft.
"I, along with the entire Ravenscroft community, am so proud of our students who participated in the Hood to Coast relay," said Doreen Kelly, Head of School. "They demonstrated teamwork, commitment, resilience, and leadership through their planning, fundraising, and through the mental and physical demands of the relay itself. These students are already changing their world and inspiring other students as well as adults."
Ravens in the Hood raised slightly more money than another Ravenscroft-affiliated team, one formed by Marshall Sandman of the class of 2009. Sandman was on the original Ravens in the Hood team and now runs with co-workers from Goldman Sachs.
