The High School Team Challenge (HSTC) was formed in an effort to involve high school students in the fight against breast cancer through fundraising, awareness and participation in the Komen Race for the Cure^® . Young people have incredible potential, motivation and power to make a big difference in their communities when given a meaningful task or project. This program is meant to empower high school students to get involved in the fight against breast cancer.

The HSTC is a competition between high schools.  Led by a Team Leader and faculty staff member, each high school joins together to form a team of students and staff members to run or walk in their local Komen Race for the Cure^®. The Team Leader spearheads a promotional campaign to bring attention to the Race and to breast cancer awareness. The high schools compete with each other to find out who can form the most successful team.  Success can be determined by the most participants, most money raised or other variables.  

Although the HSTC is a competition between area high schools, it is important to realize that the true winners are those who reach the most young people in a meaningful way.  As the program unfolds within your city, it is important to keep these goals at the forefront of your mind.  

Goals

The goals of the HSTC are to:

•  Increase breast cancer awareness among high school students;
•  Raise funds to help support the Komen for the Cure promise;
•  Increase participation of high school students in the Komen Race for the Cure^®;
•  Have fun while positively affecting the community.

A Model Program

A High School Team Challenge should be consistent with the following:

•  Area high schools form teams of students and teachers to participate in the local Komen Race for the Cure^® and challenge other high schools to do the same.
•  Students have meaningful roles in planning, organizing and implementing the HSTC in their schools and community, either as the City Chair or Team Leaders for their high schools.  Adult volunteers and/or staff supervise HSTC activities.
•  Schools compete to “win” the HSTC, as determined by the Komen Affiliate (e.g., the largest high school team, the high school team with the greatest percentage of student body participation, the team that raised the most money, etc.).
•  Age-appropriate breast health and breast cancer educational materials are distributed to students, faculty and staff of participating high schools.

Benefits

 

Creating a High School Team Challenge for your Komen Race for the Cure^® offers many benefits to your local Komen Affiliate, including:

• Reaching high school students with the life-saving messages of early detection and breast health awareness, hopefully extending to their families, as well;
• Increasing participation and fundraising for your Komen Race for the Cure^®;
• Providing a meaningful way to utilize the capabilities and energy of young people to make a  difference in your community;
• Generating additional media coverage for your Komen Affiliate.