'It's Our Duty to Give Back to the Community'

Moorestown High School students could have settled for another spring pep rally. But somewhere in the planning process, they had a better idea.

Instead, the students decided to organize a team competition organized by colors, with different grades mixed together (so still keeping some of the spirit of previous pep rallies), with each team raising money for a different charity: "Colors for Causes."

"Living in a nice town like Moorestown, everyone pretty much was blessed with a really good life," said sophomore Brian Trainer, 16. "Instead of just giving us another rally like we do every year, I think it’s almost our duty to give back to the community."

Colors for Causes will be held Thursday at the high school.

The day revolves around two main activities—a 5K walk/run and a volleyball tournament—and each student participating in the events is being asked to seek sponsors to pledge a certain amount of money to one of four charities: the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Cancer, the American Red Cross, the Ronald McDonald House and the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Central Pennsylvania.

Sophomore Julien Maliha, 15, said there isn't a particular fundraising goal, just "as much as we can get."

In addition to the 5K and volleyball tournament, the high school will host Jeff Yalden, the country's top youth motivational speaker, as well as a speaker from Virtua's new Health and Wellness Center in Moorestown, who will discuss safe dating tips, and a presentation from the Ronald McDonald House. 

Junior Nicole Wilson, 17, said even though there's some pressure on the students who helped organize the event to deliver a fun/inspiring day, it's been rewarding creating it from scratch (all under the tutelage of teacher/advisor Lisa Trapani, the students stressed). 

"This really is our creation," Nicole said. "It’s fun creating, rather than just following the template."

Click here to check out photos from last year's spring pep rally at the high school.