The WJ Student vs. Staff Basketball Game, an exciting part of the Pennies for Patients fundraising month, took place on Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The game occurred in the main gym, unlike its  location last year at Tilden Middle School. After an impressive and close game, the staff team won with a score of 72 to 70.

The Student vs. Staff Basketball Game has been an annual Pennies for Patients (P4P) event for many years and always draws a large crowd of spectators. The cost of playing in the game was $10 per person, while audience members paid a $5 admission fee. Children ages six and under were admitted for free.

Both the student and staff teams this year held their own on the court in a fun and exciting game. Although the students were in the lead at halftime, the score was tied 49 to 49 with only 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The staff were back in the lead in the last minute of the game, but the student team brought the score to a 70-70 tie with only 40 seconds left. After a foul, the staff managed to bring their score up to 72, and the student team sealed their fate with three last-minute misses with only five seconds left.

“The Student vs. Staff Basketball Game [is one of my favorite fundraisers] because it involves students and staff and [it] just gets everybody excited for Pennies [for Patients],” said senior leadership member Julianna Lebron. 

Since 2005, WJ has consistently been one of the top two donating schools in the nation, and has raised over $300,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With more than $21,000 raised already, WJ is in the lead this year as the top-earning school.

“For this year, our goal is $50,000 and for [the game] our goal is $3,000. It might not seem like a lot but it adds up little by little [with each event],” Lebron continued.

Physical Education and Health teacher Jason Campbell won MVP of the game, although both students and staff played very competitively. Social studies teacher Jeremy Butler left the game early after injuring his back in a key block.

“I’ve got the youthful good looks of a 20-year-old, but I’ve got the back of an 80-year-old,” Butler joked before leaving.

During halftime, Ellen Shannon of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) gave a heartfelt speech thanking WJ for dedicating so much time and money to their cause. 

“You guys are truly amazing, and I really can’t thank you enough,” Shannon said. “I want to thank you not only as a member of LLS but some of you who know me know that my nephew was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was just eight months old and I am happy to say he is currently eight years old and seven years cancer free.”

The microphone was then handed over to Riley Richards, a childhood cancer survivor and supporter of LLS. She was the LLS Honored Hero of the night.

“When I was six I was diagnosed with Leukemia; that was really scary. For two whole years I was taking chemotherapy, I felt really sick. I lost all my hair. The worst part was missing a whole year of school, ” Richards explained. “I’m a survivor now, but I still have a big journey. My dream is to find a cure for cancer. Thank you for helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and thank you for all your help and support.”

Along with speakers from the LLS, WJ’s own cancer survivor Hayden Zavareei spoke to the audience, sharing her support for WJ and Pennies for Patients at large.

“With events like [this game] the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is able to fund the research that was able to save my life and many others, so thank you so much,” Zavareei said.

The large crowd of students could be heard cheering in support of Zavareei as she spoke.

“I would also like to say that you guys should be donating any chance you get, because it really is amazing- at this event, any other time, you can see [people walking around] with jugs. Donate every penny you’ve got; it counts,” Zavareei added with a smile.

With the Pennies for Patients fundraising month coming to an end, the Student vs. Staff  Basketball Game helped raise donations as well as school spirit.