Hundreds walked the track at Warsaw Community High School during halftime at an Oct. 13 football game for cancer awareness. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

Press Release

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools had a remarkable night on Friday, Oct. 13, as the community rallied together for an extraordinary cause while celebrating the Northern Lakes Conference co-championship win.

This triumph was made even more meaningful as the team wore pink-colored socks to raise awareness for cancer, supporting the broader community in the fight.

“Just a little over a year ago, my wife Rachael and I were sitting at a Warsaw football game when the message was received that she had breast cancer,” said WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. “It was one of the lowest moments of our life that started a year-long journey into survivorship and greater understanding for others battling the dreaded disease. Our family kept her diagnosis very quiet at the start. It was a hard reality and hrut to speak about outside of our close circle. Just a week before her first surgery, the Warsaw Cheer Block had their annual October ‘pink out’ night at the football game. While the students did not know the impact, the ‘pinked out’ student section was such an encouragement.”

“Too many times, high school age students are unfairly seen in a negative light,” Hoffert continued. “They make mistakes (as do adults) and the focus and conversations too many times lies with the negatives instead of the great world changes they are becoming as they grow into adulthood. When the Warsaw Cheer Block leadership announced their themes for the 2023-24 school year, ‘pink out’ was once again on the schedule. My wife asked me if she could share her private story of cancer survivorship and cheer block impact with the student leaders.”

Encouraged by Rachael’s survivorship story, the students embraced the theme and decided to create an even more profound impact. This year, they organized “Walk the Block,” inviting cancer survivors, parents, community members, and even opposing fans to join them during halftime. As a symbol of support, the cheer block left the stands to encircle the track, demonstrating their solidarity and recognition of the impact of cancer. Even on a rainy evening, hundreds of students walked alongside community members, forming a united front against cancer.

“My favorite picture from the evening is an empty cheer block because hundreds of students are instead on the track,” said Hoffert. “Way to go, students. Thank you cheer block leaders Ben, Ebony, Liz, Olivia and Meredith along with the Warsaw Community High School cheerleaders for leading our students. Additional thank-yous also go out to SYM Financial for the support of our student cheer block passes, Tri-Kappa, A&G Beauty, the WCS athletic department and Kari Villemma for sponsorship of the evening. While the path is neither enjoyable nor anticipated, facing it together makes all the difference.”

The story does not end here. All the proceeds from the sale of “pink-out” shirts, pink ribbons, and donations have been channeled into a special Cheer Block Cancer Care Fund. Throughout the year, the cheer block will use this fund to provide support to school, community, and family members who are navigating their own cancer journeys.