Highlands cheerleaders host Pink Out to support Change for Cancer

On Friday, Oct. 15, they wear pink.

Highlands High School cheerleaders are hosting a districtwide Pink Out fundraiser that will culminate Oct. 15 when the Golden Rams football team takes on the Armstrong River Hawks.

The squad is teaming up with Change for Cancer, a nonprofit founded by Burrell High School senior Georgia Brothers, to raise money for people fighting the disease.

“We want our squad to think about how we can help the community,” assistant coach Kia Jones said. “This is great because the money goes to a person in our district.”

The cheer team is selling T-shirts emblazoned with the bright pink saying, “Be Strong, Fight On, Pink Out.”

Short-sleeved white T-shirts cost $15 apiece, long-sleeved shirts are $18 apiece and hoodies cost $30 apiece.

Orders are due by Friday. Forms are available at goldenrams.com or any school office.

“We want to help fight the fight,” Jones said.

Cheerleaders — and Rammie the mascot — will sport the T’s on game night.

Jones and head cheer coach Jamee Bonnett spearheaded a similar community outreach two years ago with the squad canvassing the football crowd to sell pink beads and ribbon-shaped tattoos. That effort brought in $900.

Aiming for more impact, the coaches reached out to Brothers and joined this year in the 4th annual A-K Valley Pink Out, during which schools like Valley and Burrell will wear the same T-shirts and solicit donations.

“Whatever amount of money Highlands raises for their Pink Out, they get to pick which family or families that they would like to help that live in the Highlands School District area,” said Carrie Brothers, Georgia’s mom. “Same with Burrell, and so on.”

Brothers expects that each school will raise up to $3,000.

Georgia Brothers, 17, founded Change for Cancer when she was just 7 years old after what her mother called some “close-to-heart inspirations.”

The charity has raised more than $100,000 that has been doled out to 50 families battling cancer.

Money is used to help with expenses like medical equipment, wigs or other needs.

Jones hopes the Highlands Pink Out will drench the stadium in a neon hue so everyone is inspired by the common thread of unity and outreach.

Bandanas, face paint, stickers and beads are encouraged for a pink washout, she said. There will be a bake sale tent near the admission booths, too.

“This is not only a way to raise money but a way to bring everyone together,” Jones said.