Submitted by
Rob Hicks of Fernandina Beach High School
Fernandina Beach High School hosted Jeannie Blaylock of First Coast News
on Tuesday as part of the 20th anniversary of Buddy Check 12. The entire
school participated in the event. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
class organized the event. Students had the opportunity to sign up for a
special lunch in the library and were encouraged to invite their mothers.
The lunch was prepared by the FBHS Culinary arts department and paid for
by the FBHS Business Partners.
Teens for Change
Several clubs at FBHS got in on the act as the FBHS Senior Men served the
lunch and Teens for Change made breast cancer awareness ribbons and sold
pink carnations. Mrs. Blaylock and several CNA students spoke to the
student body. The cheerleaders have been raising money at recent football
games and wore special pink uniforms for the event. They lead the
cafeteria in a Buddy Check 12 Cheer as students participated in a
“push-ups for breast cancer awareness” competition. Most of the student
body and staff wore pink for the occasion.
FBHS students, parents, and breast cancer survivors enjoy a
breast cancer awareness luncheon
Before Blaylock left, FBHS presented her with $1000 raised to support Buddy Check 12 and breast cancer research. Senior Blair Bean who
helped organize the event said, “I though the everything was really neat.
It was cool to get the whole school involved in this event. It was the
first time we’ve done something like this.” Senior Paige Markwell also
helped organize the event. She added, “We were really surprised at how
many people participated. It started as something that was really just for
seniors but it really took off and the whole school got involved.”
Blaylock spoke to the student body about the importance of breast exams and how reminding others to do the same can save a life. She gave the
school Buddy Check 12 stickers and picture frames and posed for
photographs with some of the break cancer survivors in attendance. The CNA
students think the event made on impression on the student body and hope
to see it become and annual event. “I talked to a lot of people today who
I don’t think had thought much about breast cancer before, but hopefully
they will now. I hope the school keeps doing something like this after we
graduate,” Bean said.
October 2, 2012 8:07 p.m.