Brighton students sleep the week at BHS raising over $21,000

Senior Survivor made its way back to Brighton High School for the second year. This year's event took place May 15th- May 20th with 18 participants. The money raised went towards the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation. The goal of this year's event was to quadruple the amount raised from last year, which was $10,000.

The teams that participated in this year’s event included Jolin Cramer and Grant Dunatchik for Team Neon, Morgan Haskins and Scott Smith for Team Green, Sarah Becker and Garrett Bowles for Team Dark Blue, Jackie Kochan and Leo Lopez for Team Red, Sofia Anderson and Brandon Schroeder for Team Orange, Zoe Dittman and Jonah Schulte for Team Light Blue, Cortney Munro and Michael Duffy for Team Pink, and Claire Bautch and Ryan Andrews for Team Yellow. All teams that were involved included a boy and a girl, except for one. This all girls’ team consisted of Mckenna Resconich and Kira Osterdale, throughout the week they represented Team Purple.

Teams raised money for the foundation from t-shirt sales prior to the competition, the students bought the shirts for the teams they wanted to support the most and for who they hoped would win, the shirts sold for five dollars each. During the duration of the week the survivors walked around the school with jugs collecting money in hopes to earn the most for their team. Other than the students, parents and businesses also participated. Some of the businesses included Salsarita's, Little Caesar's, The Pound, La Marsa, Milford House, and The Salad Shop.

The survivors also went to local businesses asking if they were interested in sponsoring their teams. The sponsors either sponsored a single team and got their logo on the back of the t-shirts or they could donate food for breakfast and diner for the teams and adults staying through the duration of the week. The sponsors also donated gift cards and other things from their businesses that were raffled off at the end of the week.

“We actually got a lot of sponsors this year, so that was awesome,” senior Mallory Dapprich said.

The teams worked very hard to raise the most money among the other fellow teams in a friendly competition. Other than walking through the school accepting any donations, the teams also offered sweets and other food throughout the week that students could purchase and help the teams raise money.

Events that were open to the public were held on Tuesday the 17th and Thursday the 19th. On Tuesday staff and students were asked to come to the volleyball games held in the auxiliary gym that were competed by the surviving teams. At the door there was no fee to attend, but it was asked that you made a donation. On Thursday the teams were asked to compete in the pool with games such as relay races and just for fun, a diving contest.

¨My favorite part of senior survivor was hanging out with awesome people who I never thought I'd be friends with before this week. After being with them for five days straight, sleeping on the media center floor, and most importantly working together for the same purpose, I gained not only friends, but family,¨ senior survivor Claire Bautch said.

Although they did not quadruple the amount raised last year, the teams raised over $21,000 for the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation which is over double what they earned last year. All the teams that participated in this yearś event had the amazing opportunity to give back to the community and for a foundation that not many people knew about before, after this week and the money raised the foundation will hold a special place in not only the survivors hearts but the community of Brighton's hearts.