The boys volleyball teams joined the Great Neck North High School girls’ volleyball teams for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser on Oct. 16. The girls’ teams host the event each year, but this was the first time the boys’ teams joined to support the cause.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraisers honor someone who has battled breast cancer, whether they are currently living cancer-free or battling the disease.
This year, the North High volleyball teams honored Robyn, a close friend of North High art teacher Christine Hakanjin, who continues to battle breast cancer.
In preparation for the event, both the boys’ and girls’ teams came together to decorate the gyms, collect food donations to sell and create themed raffle baskets with contributions from local businesses and families. The girls’ varsity team also designed custom T-shirts to promote awareness, which players, staff and families wore on the day of the game.
The school community embraced the event. Students and staff filled the halls in pink, purchased raffle tickets and cheered on the teams throughout the evening. Before the varsity game, seniors Juliana Levy, Audrey Kim and Leah Heimowitz shared remarks about what hosting this event has meant to them and the entire team.
Through the combined efforts of all participants, the volleyball programs surpassed their fundraising goal from last year. They raised over $2,400 to benefit the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition and the Side-Out Foundation.
Each year, the game’s honoree selects organizations that played a meaningful role in their cancer journey. Players were able to meet with Robyn via Zoom before the event to hear her story and learn how the selected organizations help patients and survivors.
“The teamwork, the decorations and the shared purpose all came together to create a night to remember — one that perfectly reflects our goal of strengthening school spirit and enhancing the tremendous culture here at North High,” said Blazers athletic director Jamie San Filippo. “While the results on the court may not have gone our way, our student-athletes and community truly won in every other way.”
The North High volleyball program extended its gratitude to everyone who donated, volunteered, attended the games and helped make this year’s fundraiser “an unforgettable celebration of strength and support,” a representative of the school said. The Blazers’ volleyball coaches are Jen Nastri (girls varsity), Alyssa Boll (girls junior varsity), Kevin Parker (boys varsity) and Tom Mangan (boys junior varsity).
