Under the guidance of several Nitschmann MS teachers, students have taken up the cause for raising funds to support efforts to treat and cure breast cancer. “Pink Out’ began 15 years ago when current Nitschmann teacher Tanya Hood’s mother Joan Miller was battling breast cancer. The disease would eventually take her life in 2011. Miller was a volunteer at the school and had been responsible for decorating the iron fence along the old school’s Eighth Avenue side with various themes for holidays and events. “My mother was a very crafty person,” says Hood.

Today the initiative continues with Hood acting more as an observer during the ‘Breast Cancer Month’ of October, Now a team of teachers coordinates the students in the annual fundraiser. Headed by teachers Julie Getz, Alli Tannous and Jacob Khalife, and librarian Laurie Werkheiser, the students’ bling crew, decorating crew, and communications crew coordinate student activities each Friday of the month.

The students embrace it and Hood says the kids look forward to it by wearing pink each Friday.

“It brings awareness and the kids think about it,” says Hood. The money raised from things like T-shirt sales goes to support breast cancer initiatives.

Now that other staff have taken it over, Hood says she’s appreciative for what they do because it takes a lot of work.

“For me it’s very cathartic,” says Hood. “It’s all part of remembering my mom.”