On Oct. 28, the track at Laurel Highlands High School transformed into a sea of pink as over 100 students and teachers completed several laps in a “Warrior Walk” to promote breast‑cancer awareness and raise money for patients.
The walk capped a month‑long series of activities sparked by sophomore Chloe Komacko. After sharing her mother’s breast‑cancer survivorship with business teacher Jennifer Neill, Komacko suggested the school wear pink each Wednesday in October to honor her mother and other women fighting the disease. Neill agreed, adding, “We can do more.”
Komacko learned that the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Uniontown works with a group of church volunteers who sew “dignity robes” for women undergoing treatment. The robes provide modest coverage, but the volunteers still need to purchase fabric. Determined to help, Komacko launched a fundraiser that culminated in the Warrior Walk.
“To honor them and support them and show their courage and fight, I wanted to do something,” Komacko said. “I thought the Warrior Walk would be a perfect place to showcase that.”
The fundraiser started slowly but gained momentum in the final days of October, ultimately raising more than $1,500, according to Neill. Each participant contributed $5 to join the walk. World‑language teacher Kurtis Gantzhorn, who also serves as pastor at Christ United Methodist Church, added $510 after his congregation pledged support.
“The point of a church, in my belief, is to give back,” Gantzhorn explained, noting that his church regularly raises money for local charities.
Komacko expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support. “Breast cancer is a heartbreaking, hard thing to do,” she said. “My mom’s a single mother, so a lot of it came on me and my brother to help her. Thankfully, she’s OK. Seeing everybody’s support shows we’re a big community that looks after each other.”
Looking ahead
Neill hopes the Warrior Walk becomes an annual tradition. With Komacko set to graduate next year and her brother Matthew still in school, the family’s involvement underscores the personal connection many students have to the cause.
“Seeing the turnout of this first year and the support we have, I feel this is something we’ll keep going strong because it’s such a good cause,” Neill said.
The event not only raised funds for dignity robes but also fostered a sense of unity among students, teachers, and local faith communities, reinforcing the school’s role as a hub for compassionate service.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
