Stoll honored during festivities, LifeChanger of the Year nominations continue
Generous supporters of the Benjamin Logan Schools’ Relay For Life festivities hosted Friday and Monday at the middle school and high school set a record this year for the highest contributions to date for the cause.
This year’s grand totals are $43,500, the most raised by the district supporters for the American Cancer Society fundraiser since the Benjamin Logan Relay For Life activities began in 2004.
During the past 18 years, Benjamin Logan’s Relay events have generated a total of $393,472, school officials report.
In 2014, the Benjamin Logan Relay For Life made its second highest contribution toward the cause, $40,000. For the last two years, $33,600 was raised in 2019 and $13,800 was raised in 2020.
Many staff and students achieved the status of being called “A $100 Donor.” A total of 149 middle school students achieved this honor, and at the high school, 32 staff members and students received this award.
Among those donors included eighth-grader student Kaydence Bothel, a daughter of Christopher and Kristi Bothel of West Mansfield, who contributed $900 to the fight to end cancer.
This year’s theme was “Wave Goodbye to Cancer” and the Hawaiian “Re-Lei” for Life T-shirt was designed by students Kate Gulick and Brooklyn Horner.
In addition, Benjamin Logan High School family and consumer science teacher Lois Stoll was honored Friday during the school’s opening ceremony for her countless hours of dedication over the past 18 years supporting the Relay For Life activities. She retires at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year following 29 years of service to the district and 32 years as an educator.
“Her commitment to fighting cancer is just another perfect example to describe Mrs. Stoll as a Life Changer,” school officials said. “Her role in sharing this passion with thousands of students over the years has left a legacy that will encourage others to continue fundraising efforts to fight cancer and it will remain in the forefront for generations to come at Benjamin Logan Schools.”
The district is sharing the LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile for Mrs. Stoll. Community members, former students, or any individual who has been impacted by Mrs. Stoll that would like to support her as a nominee can submit a comment on Mrs. Stoll’s nomination profile at http://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nomination_detail.cfm?NominationID=6624&NominationYear=2021.
Other Relay For Life fundraising efforts at the high school included Improvise a Cure, which raised $2,300 and a T-shirt sale that generated $2,300.
The high school Relay committee was led by student chairs Jacob McKenrick and Annika Simovart and Career Tech Department teachers Mrs. Stoll, Christa Knight, Lora James, Jason Smith, Jayne Jones, Mandi Wood and Cadan Goldstein.
The middle school Relay is organized by teacher Marge Jenkins.
“I just want to thank everyone for today and for those who helped me out on Friday as well,” she said. “And course all the monthly carry-ins. Without all staff on deck, the middle school relay …could never be what it is. I am proud to be part of the BLMS family. And who would have thought not one drop of rain …it was just a perfect day!”