Stamford High School’s second annual Pink Out is expanding this year.  Math teacher and Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Diane Burns and student council representatives have taken this event to the next level.  This year, instead of just one day, there will be four days focused on raising awareness of different issues that people in our community face every day.

The week following Columbus Day will consist of creative ways to raise awareness and money for four different issues selected by the Stamford High Athletic Council. On the Tuesday returning to school, October 14, students are asked to wear orange to spread awareness for anti-bullying.  On Wednesday, black is the color-of-the-day for suicide awareness.  Thursday tackles mental health awareness, and asks that students wear green. Finally, on Friday, the school will raise breast cancer awareness by dressing in pink.  Currently, shirts for the “Pink Out” are being sold in long sleeve and short sleeve options. Additionally, for each of these days, bracelets and ribbons in the certain color will be sold for $1 each.  There will also be bake sales run by sports teams and the Cancer Club that are color-coded for each day.

In addition to these fundraising tactics, a new event called the Penny Wars will be added to this year’s agenda.  Each grade will have their own jug where they can put in coins to donate.  Pennies added to each container will count as one positive point for the grade.  However, any nickels, dimes, or quarters (put in by other grades) will count as negative points.  The point of this game is to be the grade with the most points at the end of the week.

The money raised by this year’s “Awearness” Week is going to a Stamford resident. This resident is 32 years old and has been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. Her insurance, unfortunately, does not cover her medical bills. She has been forced to raise money for her own treatment. Her name has not been disclosed.

Student Athletic Council members junior Brad Kaptinski and junior Mackenzie Brown both helped to plan out the events for this fun week.  “It’s a good idea because it brings the community together for a good cause,” said Kaptinski. Brown and Kaptinski both have high hopes for this year’s Awearness Week, and hope to raise even more money than last year. “We’re trying to raise money for a person in our community, so we can help someone who has impacted peoples’ lives,” Brown stated.  Seniors Megan Rule and Mike Nunziante (Round Table Editor-in-chief) are also on the council. “We’re expecting the student body to really step up, and after how successful the fundraising was last year, we’re very optimistic that our fundraising goals will be met – and maybe even exceeded – during this year’s Aweareness Week” Nunziante added.

So, everyone come out and show your support for these causes – and remember, wear orange on Tuesday the 14^th and buy a Pink Out shirt online at: http://uknightthefight.weebly.com/

Be sure to check The Round Table’s twitter feed for updates about Awearness Week. twitter.com/shsroundtable