Soccer spirit supports multiple sclerosis
BEST SELLERS. Members and friends of the boys Varsity soccer team and the Kick it for MS planning committee sell event t-shirts during lunch in the Commons. The t-shirts are being sold for $15, but a Kick it for MS t-shirt worn to the game will serve as an entry ticket for the event. “I’m excited for the game because I’m playing in [it]… It’s gonna be a really good game,” said Grayson Thornberry, 12.
On Thurs. Oct. 5, the Varsity boys soccer team will be holding Stuff the Stands and Kick it for MS Night at SHS. The team plays Lakota West at 7:00 p.m.
Through ticket sales, t-shirt sales, a bake sale, and raffles, the event’s organizers hope to raise at least $2,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.
The event was organized through the collaboration and outreach of seniors Jeremy Pletz, Matthew Isakson, Shaurya Singh, Alex Thornberry, Grayson Thornberry, and Maximilian Bruggeman.
This event has served as the group’s DECA internship. In addition, Grayson and Pletz will be playing in the game.
“[This event is] important to me because my mom has MS, and I just think it’s for a good cause… [My mother] does do a lot for [the National MS Society],” Grayson said.
Grayson and Alex Thornberry’s mother, Bari Thornberry, is an MS activist who advocates for Ohioans with the disease.
According to the National MS Society, “Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.”
MS impacts more than 400,000 people alone in the United States and about 2.5 million people worldwide.
In addition to the the fundraiser, this game will help determine Greater Miami Conference (GMC) placement. Currently, SHS is ranked third in the conference, and Lakota West is in fourth, developing tension within and between the two teams.
“This game could actually decide who wins the GMCs,” Bruggeman said.
Halftime festivities at the match will include raffle drawings to determine the winners of baskets compiled by those on the planning committee. Companies such as Above All Others, Amazon, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and Chick-fil-A will be represented in the content.
Lori Gregorski, a speaker from the National MS Society, will also be featured at halftime. Gregorski, who has MS herself, will speak about her experiences with the disease to help raise awareness and support for the cause.
“I’m excited to see how much money we can raise through the raffles and the bake sale,” Grayson said.
Students who are not on the soccer team can help support Kick it for MS efforts by coming to the game, buying a t-shirt, buying goodies from the bake sale, and entering the raffles.
The soccer team is selling shirts that support the team as well as raise awareness for MS. Each shirt is selling for $15 in the Commons during lunch, and, if worn to the game, may count as a ticket.
