West Morris Central students typically associate January with a mid-winter slump: the final dreds of the marking period, the bleak optimism of a two-hour delay, and the stress of maybe a few icy drives down the mountain. While plans for June are usually placed on the back burner, Relay for Life remains one event that not only reminds students of the oncoming summer months, but also encourages them to celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Though West Morris’ Relay for Life isn’t until June 12th, West Morris students have already begun planning for this event. The West Morris Relay for Life encompasses students from both Central and Mendham, and the two schools work together to make the event the very best it can be.

“It’s an important cause because it gains awareness and funds for cancer,” says Activities and Entertainment Committee member Leah Spychalski about the significance of Relay for Life.

For freshman and new students, Relay for Life may be unfamiliar. This year’s Relay for Life takes place at Mendham, and Relay for Life teams spend the night walking the track, participating in activities, and continuing to raise money against cancer.

Senior Committee Head, Ellie Cheng, describes Relay as “a fun overnight event that fundraises for the American Cancer Society.”

In the spring, Relay for Life also hosts a Monte Carlo night. The event focuses on card games, combining an evening of fun with an opportunity to garner support for Relay.

Fundraising, however, isn’t limited to the actual event. In December, West Morris Committees hosted a CoffeeHouse at the Presbyterian Church in Chester in hopes of raising money for the event. Willing performers were encouraged to prepare music for their peers, and students less musically inclined used the time to socialize and enjoy a relaxing night out.

“We want to help out and support those who need it,” said Cheng.

The week of January 20th, Relay for Life initiated its Kick-Off events. At the core of this kick-off was the “Marshmallow Challenge”, an online dare similar to summer’s “Ice Bucket Challenge.” Only instead of dumping a freezing bucket of water on their heads, students were prompted to upload videos of themselves stuffing as many marshmallows as possible into their mouths, before saying: “One, two, three. Come Relay with Me”.

Cupcakes were another signature event of the week. On the day of kick-off, committee members distributed cupcakes to any student wearing purple, the signature Relay for Life color.

Kick-Off concluded with a ceremony in the auditorium on Friday. The ceremony posed the question “Why relay?”, to which committee members answered with various signs.

“For cousins”

“For teachers”

“For friends”

“For sisters”

“For mothers”

Perhaps a better question would have been “Why not relay?”