Year in Review, Spring: ESSO Relay For Life a Success, Raises Over $5,400

The student body walked in silence in the gym, dimly lit only by the candles within white paper bags, which contained messages in honor of those affected by cancer. During the Luminaria service, audience members listened to students share their stories and experiences regarding cancer and cracked glow sticks to recognize community members impacted by cancer. This was a part of the annual Relay for Life event, sponsored by ESSO and Student Activities, held on Saturday, Apr. 11. Relay For Life is a worldwide event started in 1985 that includes a fundraising walk, as well as activities and booths that entertain the individuals attending the event and raise awareness for cancer.

Clubs and dorms worked together to organize creative booths that ranged from a kissing booth to a barbecue. Exeter raised over $5,400 from contributions from students, faculty, employees and families. This year’s student leaders of the Relay For Life committee were senior Will Li and upper Ashley Baxter. The duo managed to run a committee and plan the event in addition to organizing the 45 booths. To publicize the event, Li and Baxter collaborated in a project called “Why I Relay.” The project was in the form of a video that consisted of various members of our community sharing reasons what Relay For Life means to them.