BY FRANK SOJAK
Chloe Huston and her classmates at Windber Area High School showed their true colors Jan. 29 by dyeing their hair for a good cause.
Chloe and other female students sported a pink stripe in their hair to highlight the importance of fighting breast cancer during a fundraiser that Chloe organized at the school.
The color pink symbolizes breast cancer awareness.
The male students also joined in the fun but chose to color their hair Windber blue instead.
The event, named the Power of Pink, was Chloe’s senior project and raised $1,700 for the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, located in Windber.
“I picked this project because my mom (Lori Huston) is a breast cancer survivor,” said Chloe, a cheerleader for the school. “It (project) meant a lot to me.”
She said her mother received much help from the Breast Care Center and family and friends during her fight against cancer. So Chloe wanted to do something to return the favor.
“It was a lot of work but it was worth the effort,” said Chloe, a member of the school’s yearbook staff.
The event, which took place from 5 p.m. to midnight, was attended by hundreds of students, teachers and members of the community, she said.
The event included a basketball game between students and teachers, a volleyball tournament and a three-on-three basketball tournament, she said. Students brought in video games for entertainment.
A dance also was held with another student’s father, Steve Kormanik, donating his talents as a disc jockey, she said.
Chloe said she raised the money by asking for a donation of $3 for admission; asking each basketball and volleyball player for a $1 donation to play; and by selling food, refreshments and baked goods, which were donated by 40 Windber area businesses, fellow classmates and family members.
She also raised money through the sale of 150 Power of Pink T-shirts.
Chloe said the school was a big help by donating the space and providing support.
She said her two friends, Dominick DiLoreto and Joe Ponczek, both seniors at Windber, were a big help to her and that her adviser, Robert Culp, helped her with anything she needed.
She said her mother was a tremendous help and that her younger brother, Kyle, and his friends supported the event.
For her efforts, Chloe is the Person of the Week.
Culp said Chloe devoted much time and energy to the event and that’s why it was successful.
“I think she has that kind of internal drive to help people out,” he said about why Chloe organized the project.
Culp said the school has a good group of students who get involved in community-service projects.
“There is always that helping-the-community spirit here at Windber,” he said.
Patty Felton, director of the Breast Care Center, said it is always refreshing to see the youth of the community further a good cause.
“Chloe’s energy and passion for raising breast cancer awareness have been tremendous,” she said.
It’s because of Chloe’s generosity that the Breast Care Center will continue to make improvements in the crusade against breast disorders through prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research, she said.
DiLoreto and Ponczek said Chloe worked hard on the project and did a wonderful job.
Both said that Chloe is the type of person who enjoys helping others.
Both also said that everyone who attended the event had an enjoyable time.
