Upper St. Clair Students Raise $58,000 To Fight Pediatric Cancer

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - The goal was a challenging one, but Upper St. Clair High School students exceeded it. They wanted to raise $50,000 in the third annual USC Mini-THON to help combat pediatric cancer and they ultimately raised $58,476.

The money benefits Four Diamonds, an organization that assists children who are battling cancer and their families at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey.

“I feel incredibly proud to have raised more than $50,000 to help such a great cause. It is truly an amazing sight when so much of the school population works together to reach a goal,” senior Lexi Feldman, one of seven student organizers, said in a district release. “That said, it was never about reaching our goal; it's about bringing the community together for the kids.”

The event is a student-led initiative under the leadership of an all-student executive board that included seniors Peyton Ciesco, Lexi Feldman, Nikki Gibbons, Rachel Harris, Dina Leyzarovich, Nandita Mahesh and Nate Murphy. In total, more than 75 Upper St. Clair High School students were involved in planning the event. Brooke Tarcson, activities coordinator, served as advisor and faculty liaison.

Mini-THON kicked off at 6:30 p.m. on April 5. The first few hours were devoted to Community Time, which offered food, games and activities for all ages. From 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Saturday, nearly 350 high school students were on their feet in support of families battling childhood cancer.

According to members of the USC Mini-THON executive board, community involvement is a key aspect of the event.

“Whether it is donating to our Donor Drive page, showing up to community time, or chaperoning during the night, everyone can do their part in making the event a success," senior Rachel Harris said.

“Our students never fail to impress me,” principal Louis Angelo, principal said. “From our student leaders who took the reins and led this initiative to those who participated in the 12-hour event, their collective efforts will make a tremendous difference for children and their families.”

The money raised this year greatly exceeded the $41,098 raised last year and the $17,531 in the inaugural year of 2017.

The USC Mini-THON executive board set an ambitious goal of raising $50,000 after raising $41,098 last year and $17,531 in its inaugural year, 2017.

According to the Four Diamonds website, “Mini-THONs are interactive events for students of all ages that inspire teamwork, leadership and creativity, while empowering youth and young adults through philanthropy and community service in the fight to conquer childhood cancer. Mini-THONs are modeled after the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) and have been making a difference in the lives of childhood cancer patients and their families since 1993.”

More than 90,000 student volunteers from 283 schools in eight states participated in Mini-THONs this year. During the 2017-18 school year, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges raised more than $7 million for Four Diamonds.