It’s well known that cancer is a disease that is more and more common, and it’s also known that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Newton County elementary and high schools do their part in awareness every year not only by wearing pink, but honoring survivors and remembering those lost.

Newton County High school honored those in its own way Friday night during the halftime varsity football game which is also known as ‘Pink Out Game 2015.’ The Survivor/Remembrance Walk was held and walked by Newton county staff and citizens in memory or in honor of loved ones. Rick Rasmussen walked in the memory of his father Eric Rasmussen. Nichelle Banks walked in the memory of Father- in- law Cleo Banks and mother-in-law Adelaide Banks. Jason Smith walked in the memory of his grandmother, Yvonne Combre, and in honor of his mother, Yvette Lindow. Adrienne Boisson walked in the memory of her aunt Micah Boisson and in honor of Tracy Gardner.

Amy Fanusi walked in the memory of her grandmother Dona Bilings and in honor of her aunt Laura Keeler, her two uncles Bruce Olsen and James Gardner as well as her sister-in-law Cheri Pershmann. Andre Byrd walked in memory of Olivia McGregor and his aunt Tonya Williams. Diana Brown walked in the honor of her niece Emily Sama. Yolanda Wyatt walked in the memory of her father James Maddox. Bobby Sims walked in the memory of his aunt Andrea P. Brooks and in the honor of his mother Lillie Fuse-Williams.

Staff that didn’t walk but wanted to show their remembrance were Jenny Folkerts, in the memory of her mother-in-law Gail Folkerts and cousin Misty Dasher; Melissa Webb in memory of grandmother Susie Swint, and her two uncles Mitchell and Allen Swint. Stephen Spruell also wanted to show remembrance for Bill Davis, Jug Harris and in honor of Lesley Harris and Mary Ann Fuller.

There was plenty of pink in the stands Friday night, pink was also worn by cheerleaders from both schools as well as represented on both teams’ uniforms. Newton County High school Alum as well as second term Board of Education representative Shakila Henderson-Baker attended the game Friday night, and she was very pleased with the showing of support as well as the overall cancer awareness that Newton County schools show.

When asked about the school’s support, she said, “I think we do a pretty good job with it. We have what we call cake day, and it raised money to go towards cancer awareness.”

Baker touted the staff at Live Oak and Flint Hill elementary schools for their participation in the event, as well as reflecting on the staff from each school.

“You can get information about what the schools are doing by going to http://www.newtoncountyschools.org/ and I believe each school has its own website,” Baker said.

Shakila believes in the community’s support along with the kids from elementary through high school will keep cancer awareness alive. Social media plays a big part in that. She stated that “ncssbethebest is the hashtag as well to find out what’s going on in the Newton County school district. “

With attention well paid to awareness issues, Newton County has a representative who has the community’s best interest at hand. Thanks are given to those who walked, those who survived, and those we remember for their courage.