Lincoln-Way North Students Drum Up $500 for Cancer Support Center

Lincoln-Way North High School for the past three summers has sent sophomore student -athletes to the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Ranch in Villa Grove, Colorado, where they participate in leadership training and activities. When they return and begin their junior year they are encouraged to join the 4 seniors and share with their fellow classmates what they have learned.

“JKB is something I am very passionate about and honored to be in. It is a completely different club where your coaches nominate you to be a member. Going to Colorado gave me the confidence and skills to truly make my school and community a better place,” said Erin Creedon, senior.

The four JKB seniors and four juniors at Lincoln-Way North High School include seniors: Erin Creedon, Morgan Parkinson, Julian Hylton, Osvaldo Salazar, and juniors Kayla Kieklak, Allie Sylvester, Ryan Arthur, and Josh Mutter.

The student leaders organized and ran a dodge ball tournament in the school’s field house, naming the event the TWIRP Tournament to raise money for the Cancer Support Center.

“We created this event to get the students excited for the TWIRP dance and to raise money for the Cancer Support Center in Mokena to support cancer research,” said Kayla Kieklak, junior. 

“The turnout was amazing, with over 200 participants in the event and another 50 students who came to watch the event,” noted Osvaldo Salazar, senior. “It was great seeing everyone come out to have some competitive fun,” he added.

“It was a great fundraiser. We raised over $400 from the teams and another $50 from admissions, said Morgan Parkinson, senior.

Each student played a role in organizing and running the two-hour event. Julian Hylton, senior, acknowledged, “Being a referee for the night was pretty intense. All the teams were passionate as well as the fans. Sometimes people didn’t agree with the calls, but everyone had a good time.”

Students had begun organizing their team of eight members from the same grade two weeks before the event.

Ryan Arthur, junior, stated, “The coolest part for me was seeing how excited all the students got. The event got very competitive, and I believe that is what made the tournament fun.”

Josh Mutter, junior, a member of the winning team, added, “This isn’t about winning the championship, it was really cool to win the tournament for charity in addition to creating an all-around great experience for students.”

Lincoln-Way North’s J. Kyle Braid organization hopes to make this an annual fundraiser.

On Tuesday, March 18, the J. Kyle Braid students presented a check to Michelle Paetow of the Cancer Support Center in Mokena a check for $500 from their pre-TWIRP dodge ball tournament to help with cancer research.

“I’d love to do it again next year, and I was happy I was involved in an event with all that school spirit,” explained Allie Sylvester, junior.

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