You never think that cancer can really hit close to home; unfortunately, it did for me. Last March I found out that my good friend from camp was diagnosed with cancer. After hearing the shocking news, I just felt helpless. I wanted to help him but there was nothing I could do- almost nothing.

I decided that my way to help out my friend was to volunteer for Chai Lifeline, an organization that reaches out to Jewish cancer victims. Started 18 years ago by Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline started out as just a two-week summer camp but grew into a world wide organization serving over 3,000 families across the globe. Chai Lifeline helps patients and their families by providing meals at home and in the hospitals, video classes for kids while they’re in the hospital, and even giving families cell phones so they can always be in touch.

Besides working with kids who are battling cancer, Chai Lifeline also works with kids who have chronic or genetic illnesses. This organization also runs a summer camp, Camp Simcha. I started volunteering at Camp Simcha Special helping out with Chai Lifeline, which became my personal way of helping my friend. So this year when Ellen Shemesh asked me if the seniors at my school would be interested in being a part of Chai Lifeline, there was no way we weren’t going to accept.

The seniors at WYHS are going to be involved with the Big Brother/ Big Sister program run by Chai Lifeline. Each senior will be matched up with either a kid from Chai Lifeline or a sibling of a Chai Lifeliner to be his or her “big brother or sister.” Once a month, each senior will meet with their “little sibling,” ages 8 and up, and spend quality time with them.

Even though official visits are once a month, the big siblings are recommended to call weekly for a friendly checkup. We are also inviting all of our “little brothers and sisters” to our Chanukah Chagiga so they can see their “big siblings” in a school setting. Once a month there will be a debriefing where all the seniors will get together with Chai Lifeline staff members and discuss their experiences.

No senior is forced to participate in this program due to its emotional intensity, but amazingly it appears that the entire senior class will participate in the program. This is our opportunity to make a lasting impact in these kids’ lives. Being part of this program does not end at the end of the year; the bonds that are created will last a lifetime.

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Victory for the girls soccer team! Last Tuesday, the girls soccer team played their third game of the season and captured their first win against FAU Henderson High School in an intense game with a final score of 1 to 0.

The game got off to a great start, with the first goal of the season scored in the first quarter by Nicole Tyrfus (’06) and assisted by Co-captain Ali Cristina (’07). The teamwork and collaboration used throughout the game was clear evidence of the team’s improvement in form and skill.

Both the offense and the defense played a strong game and helped keep the opponents off the scoreboard. With her amazing saves, goalie Raquel Amram (‘07) played her best game yet. Rebecca Isaacs (‘07) and newcomers to the team, Jesse Busch (’09) and Emily Waxman (’09), all played phenomenally by clearing the ball time and time again.

We were cheered on by many friends, family and faculty this game. The support that our fans have shown is extremely motivating for the players and definitely brings our school spirit onto the field.

Be sure to come this Saturday night at Patch Reef Park at 8:00pm to cheer us on as we strive to achieve two wins in a row!