Orange and black are not the only defining colors of October; for the CCHS Cowboys, pink is of equal significance.
October, designated “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” is full of activities and donation opportunities hosted by the Cowboys in the hopes of “giving breast cancer the boot.” Each year, numerous clubs and teams show support in creative ways, many working to raise both awareness of and money for the cause.
Cowboy Volleyball’s “Dig Pink” ceremony, which took place on Monday, October 9, was one of the first of the month’s events. Players donned pink jerseys for the game, and many of them played in support or memory of a loved one who had been affected by breast cancer.
“Personally, my grandmother battled with cancer so at the game I was able to honor her with a rose,” senior Emily Miranda said. “A lot of the students found the moment to be really emotional and an amazing [way] to honor all of our loved ones.”
National Honor Society is also getting involved, with plans to sell pink ribbons for one dollar from October 19-31. The proceeds will be donated for breast cancer awareness and research.
The pink-out game, which is scheduled for October 13, is one of the most popular breast cancer awareness events at Cooper City High School, filling up the stands each year with fans adorned in the color from head to toe. Those on the sidelines and the field participate as well, with the cheerleaders topping off their outfits with pink bows and the football players showing off their bright pink socks.
Though much of the coordination for the pink-out game can be attributed to DECA, the club has another awareness event in store that has required extensive planning. This year, juniors Madison Mutzman and Alexandra Deso are doing an Early Detection for Breast Cancer Awareness Project as their DECA manual (an in-depth project plan that will be submitted through the club for competition). In honor of Mutzman’s mom, who passed away from the disease two years ago, they will be hosting a Zumba for Breast Cancer Awareness event at CCHS on October 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“One of [my mom’s] favorite things to do was Zumba, which is a workout in dance form,” Mutzman said. “She had been participating in [it] while she battled cancer for two and a half years. Her courage and strength always inspired me to try my best.”
Tickets for the event cost $5 and will be sold during lunch and at the event itself, along with the sale of pink and white cookies. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an organization that Mutzman’s family has been involved in for three years.
“This event means the world to me as I am continuing my mom’s legacy as an advocate for early detection of breast cancer,” Mutzman said. “It is so important for the community and students to realize how much of an effect early detection can have… it can save lives.”
Photo by Casey Chapter
