Kids Supporting Kids: How Schools Rally for Courage of Carly
There is something especially powerful about seeing young people choose to help children their own age.
Across Western New York, students at Starpoint High School, John A. Sciole Elementary School and Clarence High School turned compassion into action by designating their Schools Against Cancer fundraising efforts to Courage of Carly.
From an overnight school tradition to an elementary school dance-a-thon to a student-led online auction, each initiative looked different. But the heart behind them was the same: Kids supporting kids. Together, these schools demonstrated how meaningful it is when students choose to give back to children and families facing cancer through Courage of Carly.
Designating Schools Against Cancer Funds
When students designate their funds specifically to Courage of Carly, they are doing more than raising money. They are helping support pediatric cancer research, patient programming and experiences that bring joy and comfort to children during treatment.
Not only did that mission resonate with students at these three schools, but their efforts also prove that empathy can lead to action, and action can change lives. Through these fundraisers, the students learned they can be part of something bigger than themselves, and that even at a young age, they have the power to uplift other children going through the unimaginable.
Starpoint High School: A Tradition of Showing Up
On Friday, March 13, Starpoint High School hosted its 14th annual Locked-In to Lock-Out Cancer event, bringing together 305 students who pledged to stay awake from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. In partnership with Roswell Park and Schools Against Cancer, the student-led committee had been planning the event since October. The evening included welcomes from Michelle Moore, Courage of Carly Co-founder Chuck Collard and London Patane from Schools Against Cancer, followed by live entertainment, games and food. Since its start in 2013, the Locked-In to Lock-Out Cancer Club has raised $183,444 to support cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park.
For the students involved, designating those funds to Courage of Carly meant supporting children and families who need both hope and relief during treatment.
“The Courage of Carly Fund is so important to those battling cancer and their families,” said Calleigh Basile, Starpoint Senior and Locked-In to Lock-Out Club Treasurer. “Any contribution helps these families overcome everyday obstacles without having to worry about anything other than their loved ones.”
That same sense of purpose stood out to teacher and club advisor Jessica Haskill, who sees the fundraiser as a lesson in compassion as much as community service.
“Preparing students for the real world means showing them they have the power to make an impact right now,” Haskill said. “Supporting Courage of Carly and Roswell Park allows our students to see that community service isn’t about one grand gesture, but the small steps that lead to something incredible.”
John A. Sciole Elementary: Big Hearts at a Young Age
At John A. Sciole Elementary School in Lancaster, students spent the month fundraising ahead of a schoolwide dance-a-thon. Participants pledged a few dollars to take part, donors were recognized on morning announcements and top fundraisers received prizes like stickers and custom bracelets. The event took place over two days during gym class, where students danced along to music and “Just Dance”-style videos surrounded by glow sticks and fun photo opportunities. This unique fundraiser raised more than $5,000.
“I want to help kids with cancer, and I want to keep people safe and healthy,” said Riley Sponholz, Grade 3. “I want people with cancer to feel better, and I want people with cancer to have fun.”
“It is important to raise money for Courage of Carly because a healthy child is a happy child,” said Maggie Dickey, Grade 1. “Their families need our support.”
Physical Education teacher John Dugan, who helped coordinate the effort, said the fundraiser was a powerful learning experience for the school community.
“I think it is an invaluable experience for our school community to come together as one big team to help and support an amazing organization,” Dugan said. “Teaching our students the importance of generosity, love, kindness and citizenship is critical.”
Clarence High School: Turning Leadership into Action
At Clarence High School, students in the Business Academy took on a different kind of challenge. Through a Chick-fil-A-sponsored leadership program, they organized an online auction benefiting Courage of Carly as their major impact project. Students began collecting donations in December, then spent months reaching out to businesses, organizing contributions, creating packages and promoting the fundraiser throughout the community. The auction launched on March 18th and ended on March 23rd . In total, students created 31 baskets and packages and raised more than $15,000.
Students in the Business Academy said Carly’s story gave them a reason to keep going even when the project became difficult.
“I really liked their message and Courage of Carly and Carly’s story in general,” said Business Academy student, Ava Charles . “It really touched my heart, so I wanted to contribute.”
“I thought it would be a good organization to raise money for again this year, to support families that are battling cancer,” said another Business Academy student, Julia Main Cruso.
Their teacher, Mrs. Harmon, said that choice to designate funds to support childhood cancer research and programming reflected the empathy students brought to the project.
“I love the fact that the kids have enough empathy to choose Courage of Carly and have Carly’s story still resonate with them,” Harmon said.
Different Events, One Shared Purpose
What stands out most across all three schools is not just the total dollars raised. It is the intention behind those efforts.
Starpoint students stayed up all night. John A. Sciole students danced through gym class. Clarence students built a full online auction from the ground up. Each school found its own way to give, but every group made the same meaningful choice: to direct its support to Courage of Carly and, in doing so, stand beside children and families facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders.
Looking Ahead
The support from these schools is a reminder that the Courage of Carly mission continues to resonate across classrooms, clubs and communities. When young people understand that they can help children their own age, the impact is powerful.
These students are learning leadership. They are building empathy. And most of all, they are showing kids with cancer and their families that they are not alone.
