Falls High School Hosts A Record Relay For Life

This, said cancer survivor Bill Jackson, isn’t how teens are portrayed on TV.

But it should be.

Menomonee Falls students on Friday held the culmination of a months-long fundraising drive to fight cancer with the second annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life event at the high school football stadium.

Key Club advisor Mickey Chavannes said the students raised nearly as much money before the event – around $7,000 – than they had all last year. He expected to raise about $12,000.

The total came in at $18,500. They surpassed their goal by 185 percent.

Co-chairpersons were Julie Schweiss and Alexa Morgan began meeting in January to plan. Committees were formed to handle entertainment, fundraising, publicity and team development. They were determined to have a bigger and better event than last year.

“A lot of hours spent planning,” said Morgan. “It’s stressful.”

Come Friday, the work paid off.

“It was all worth it,” said Morgan. “It’s amazing. We’re all here for the same thing. All in all, I am so happy about what we’ve done.”

Key Club led the effort but on Friday Student Council and FBLA chipped in with various forms of help. About 34 teams and 275 people participated.

Jackson, who was selected to serve as the honorary chairman, got involved through students after doing a long-term substitute teaching job last year. Students, he said, are the reason he was there.

“It’s encouraging,” he said.

This year’s Relay featured a climbing wall, dunk tank, theme laps and Zumba-a-thon. A rummage sale and car wash leading up to the event raised more funds, as did in-kind online donations.

“This is all student led,” said Chavannes. “I can’t brag enough about them.”