This year, the South Tama County and Meskwaki Settlement School basketball programs came together in a joint effort to raise money in the fight against cancer by hosting a Coaches vs. Cancer event on February 5, 2024. This was a varsity girl-boy double header game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 15.

Preparations for this event began in December with the high school students collecting their spare change for a challenge between grades to earn “spirit points,” which are tallied by the student council. The winning grade will earn a reward at the end of the school year. Collectively the students raised a total of $154.61 with the winning grade level being the sophomore class who collected $65.11.

On the night of the event, Steve Bearden and Keely Upah, who were representatives for the South Tama Activity Boosters, helped to provide items for a silent auction table. Event t-shirts were sold, a “pass-the-bucket” activity was done at the conclusion of the first quarter of each game, and there was a moment of silence for spectators, coaches, and players to honor someone in their life that they were “participating in honor of” and pink signs were held up by

those who wanted to join in.

A grand total of $686.21 was raised to help the American Cancer Society continue its research in the fight against cancer through the generosity of both the South Tama and Meskwaki schools and communities. Everyone who participated should be proud of themselves; your efforts and contributions are going toward an important cause. The STC basketball programs would like to

thank everyone again for continued support of their Coaches vs. Cancer event.