The electronic sign outside Naugatuck High School read that Cruz Night would be held "rain or shine."
The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of the NHS students and faculty that participated in a walkathon fundraiser in honor of one of their own. Rebecca Cruz is a world language teacher at the high school that has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
NHS teacher Tim Reilly told me that the students took shelter inside the school building during the rain, but came out onto the new field around 10:30 pm. "Now they are just hungry," he told me. Many students were lined up to get some food outside the concession stand. Mr. Reilly is in charge of the school's DECA program.
The new track on the side of the high school was awash in royal purple t-shirts. A purple ribbon brings awareness to pancreatic cancer. Students, faculty, staff and some parents walked around the well-lit track, while others played kickball, soccer, Frisbee and more organized by the PE teachers. The fact that graduation for the seniors and the end of the school year for the underclassmen is only seven school days away made the dedication of these students and teachers even more impressive.
As I was leaving, members of the NHS Marching Band were heading towards the track and a glow show featuring purple glow sticks, was scheduled for midnight. The event, which began at 7:00pm, is scheduled to end at 8:00am on Saturday morning.
Thank you to Mary McNulty for sharing her great photos.
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