The Sage Informer

The month of October is well known at almost every high school in Illinois for being one of the most important times during the school year. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is when all communities across the state raise awareness and acknowledge facts about breast cancer, while also donating money and items to the cause to benefit research and prevention of the disease. 

Monticello is well known for its traditions, and Pink Out is one of the biggest annual fundraisers in Monticello. Many students get most excited for the “Kiss the Goat” fundraiser. Pep Club sponsor Mrs. Stetson explained why she believes it’s so big at our school, “When I moved into this role, “Kiss the Goat” was one of the first things I heard about.” 

Monticello High partners with Paint Piatt Pink to raise money. Stetson also said, “I think as a community people are so willing to give to this fundraising event because we know the money stays local to Piatt County. It’s easier to give back to a cause when you know where it’s going.”

Fundraising was not an issue this year; the students made it very easy. Pep Club did many different activities throughout the week to create more ways to generate donations for the cause. Pep Club makes a design for an apparel order every year. This year, the design was a spin off of the movie Barbie and was very popular throughout the school. Stetson said that they “still sold apparel but offered two different colors. Some people loved both options and then ended up ordering two different items. Our apparel items doubled from last year’s sales.” 

While “Kiss the Goat” and apparel have been used for many years for raising money, Pep Club thought of new ideas. Stetson stated, “Pep Club introduced the Rock Paper Scissors contest which involved the whole school. Also new was a bake sale and donation items for Hope bags for people receiving treatment.” 

Vice Principal Sheehan recognized the student’s effort to support the cause and stated, “Our students helped raise over $3,000 to donate to Paint Piatt Pink. It’s rewarding to see our students support community initiatives and contribute to spreading awareness and promoting early detection.”

Outside of what was happening inside the school, extracurricular activities always bring out bigger crowds to support the cause. Sheehan believes the Pink Out games that Monticello hosts are “beneficial because they raise awareness for cancer, an illness that impacts many lives. These events help foster a sense of community and unity among our athletic programs, the student body, and Piatt Country, creating a positive experience for all involved.” 

Although Monticello did not host a Pink Out volleyball game this year, Sheehan gives credit to athletics because they “bring students and communities together, but to partner up with another Illini Prairie Conference School shows that sports are more than a game.”

Ashley Stiverson, Staff Writer

stias26@sages.us