Purple Haze
Get ready for Thon!
By Amy Kimmel

January 21, 2016

Thank you to Martin Luther King, Jr. for another four day week! Although it's a national holiday and many reap the benefits of a day off work or school, few really take the time to appreciate what a great impact he made on our country!  A group of students at the high school have been working especially hard this week to positively impact the lives of childhood cancer victims.

Four Diamonds presented their annual mini-thon  assembly Tuesday afternoon, kicking off the start of this year's fundraising. This year's mini-thon theme is "Wild for a Cure," with a jungle feel. The assembly was highlighted by the jungle-themed skit, following the story of a young boy who seeks courage, strength, wisdom and honesty, the four virtues outlined by the Four Diamonds.  The morning also included a brief talk from a representative of Penn State's THON and the cutting of a lot of hair! This year 17 girls donated their hair for a grand total of 317 inches! One senior, Kelsey Reyes, donated nine inches after realizing "my hair is as important to me as it can be to someone else who needs it more than I do. "This was her first time donating and afterwards she confirmed it feels" really short, but really good."

The assembly also featured a line dance, performed by the nine Man Pageant contestants. The community is encouraged to come out February 19 for the crowning of Mr. Four Diamonds at the fourth annual Man Pageant.  Admission will include tickets to vote for your favorite choice and you will be able to purchase additional tickets to cast extra votes. The contestants are working extra hard to present a show sure to entertain.

This year's mini-thon will take place on March 11 and last for 12 hours from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Co-chair Kate Colgan states it best: "Mini-THON is an incredible opportunity for us to give back to those in need and make a difference in the lives of others. With the help of our student volunteers and teacher advisors, we are confident that we are closer to a day where childhood cancer is a thing of the past, and families will no longer be torn apart by this horrible disease."