Students at St. Bartholomew Consolidated School in Springfield Township have to defend their honor Friday in the Northwest High School Relay for Life Celebration, a national fund-raiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

        The students placed No.1 last year when they raised $12,000.

        “They are the group that everybody will be trying to beat this year,” said Theresa Mangold, technology coordinator at the school. “It has become friendly competition with a wonderful outcome — money for one of the neediest of causes.”

        Ms. Mangold said this year's theme is: “Angels Among Us,” named in honor of kindergarten teacher Kathy Hinkel who lost her battle with cancer in February.

        The entire community participates. The opening ceremony begins at St. Bartholomew Church at 9:30 a.m. Students line the perimeter of the walking area. The first events are the “Survivor's Lap” and “Walk of Honor.”

        Cancer survivors, wearing their survivor sashes, take the ceremonial first lap.

        “This is very emotional,” Ms. Mangold said. “Survivors are cheered as they walk around the track. Last year, Kathy Hinkel walked as a survivor.”

        There are several fund-raising activities during the relay. The cancer society has provided the school with paper suns and moons that are sold. Suns are a message of inspiration, denoting cancer survivors. Moons are for remembrance of those who died of cancer.

        Students also have been given donation envelopes so family members can contribute.

        “We didn't encourage them to go door-to-door,” Ms. Mangold said.

        There also will be fund-raising booths and raffles.

        The event ends with a closing.

        “Relay for Life promotes student awareness, educational opportunities and provides an outlet for students to give of themselves to others,” Ms. Mangold said.

        Two students at Frost Elementary in New Burlington won the Jim Friedhof Peace Award. They are Kristen Morgan and Kendra Rhodes, both 12. They won for mediating more than 50 disputes in the school's People Against Violent Environments (PAVE) program.

        The award was named after Mr. Friedhof for his work in the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Mr. Friedhof, who died of cancer last year, was honored as DARE officer of the year in Ohio and the United States.

        African-American Heritage Day is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Fountain Square. A parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at Fourth and Plum streets and ends at the square.

        State Sen. Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati, will be guest speaker.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       

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