Academy JROTC cadets are organizing a “Relay for Life” event with cadets from St. Louis School. Created by the American Cancer Society, the event honors cancer survivors and raises awareness of the disease.

Chief Warrant Officer Heath Phillips, one of the St. Louis instructors, said that JROTC cadets are required to complete a service learning project each year.

“The students come up with an idea for an event, plan it and execute it,” said Phillips.  “At the beginning of the school year, we had cadets from both Sacred Hearts and St. Louis come up with event ideas, and it was decided that the battalion would host a “Relay for Life” event.”

Company Commander, junior Janelle Inao, is very grateful to have a hand in planning the function.

Inao said, “Helping with ‘Relay for Life’ is empowering. I feel that I am taking a stronger stand for the research and cure of cancer by participating in this.”

According to Chief Phillips, all cadets are involved in the event and take pride in their contributions.

The date of the event is yet to be determined, but so far cadets have attended two summits to help broaden their understanding of “Relay for Life” and the aspects of planning such an event.

Although executing the event poses difficulties, Officer Phillips is confident that it will be successful.

“With the relationship that St. Louis has with Sacred Hearts Academy, I believe that will we have a great event,” he said.