In 2008, Grace Mercer, a senior at AACS decided to do her senior practicum on raising awareness on breast cancer. Recently, she had the following to say.
I started the Pink Out as the service portion of my senior practicum. I wanted to do something to honor my mother and the many other women who have battled breast cancer. My mother is in her 16th year as a survivor and still fights everyday. I also wanted to raise awareness within the community, as early detection saves lives. The Pink Out has turned into something so much bigger than I could have ever imagined. Since its start over $80,000 has been raised to help women in need with some of the financial burdens that come with battling cancer. I would like to challenge everyone reading this to encourage the women in their lives to go get their yearly mammograms and continue to do self-checks. I would also challenge you to reach out and encourage a survivor with a word or gesture of encouragement. And finally let us not forget the women who have lost their lives in the battle with breast cancer. Do something in their honor and encourage their love ones.
Grace had no expectation that her Pink Out would be anything more than a senior practicum. The AACS girls' basketball players, however, have taken it upon themselves to keep this tradition going. Each year the team partners with other schools to raise awareness and funds for research. What started out as a senior practicum turned into an event that has run annually for a decade.
This year the 12th Annual Pink Out will be held at AACS on January 10 and 11 in the Kilby Center on the Upper School campus. Pink Out t-shirts are available to buy (while supplies last). The cost for a shirt is $10. Admission to the games is $5 for adults and $2 for students. All proceeds from t-shirt sales and admissions will go to the DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Hopefully we will see you at the Pink Out.
Friday, January 10
3:30 PM - Boys Fresh/Soph v. Pallotti
5:00 PM - Boys JV v. Gerstell
6:30 PM - Girls Varsity Basketball v. Maryvale
8:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball v. Gerstell
Saturday, January 11
11:00 AM - Boys Middle School C v. Crofton
12:15 PM - Boys Middle School B v. Grace Brethren (Clinton)
1:30 PM - Girls Middle School B v. Southern Maryland Christian
3:00 PM - Boys Middle School A v. Southern Maryland Christian
4:15 PM - Girls Middle School A v. Grace Brethren (Bowie)