This is the last year WS will be hosting Relay for Life, the all-night walk to raise awareness about cancer and collect funds for the American Cancer Society.
“Last year we had a lower turnout than usual, because it was on a holiday weekend,” said WS senior and Relay for Life Youth Representative Alix Sward. “This year it’s right before graduation, so I fear that the same thing will happen as it’s on the day of the seniors’ final exam.”
However, lower turnout is not the cause of the venue relocation. There is a much bigger reason for the decision to move the event.
“WS is not hosting the Relay next year because of the renovations, unfortunately,” said Sward.
Renovations are officially starting a year from now, between February and May. The Relay is usually set for a date in mid-May to mid-June, making it a risky gamble to schedule it at WS next year.
“They [the Relay coordinators] still don’t know where it’s being held next year,” said Sward.
The event will most likely be hosted at another Fairfax County high school. There is a possibility of the Relay being completely cancelled however, leaving the closest locations, Woodson HS and George Mason University, to provide for the supporters in the Springfield and Burke Areas.
“I think that LB will host the relay next year because LB has three fields as opposed to our school’s one,” said senior Lexy Moore.
Moore expressed her disappointment that the relay will not be at WS in 2016 and fears that it will not return to our field in 2017. Although she is graduating from WS this year, she and her friends plan to attend the event every year, even in college.
“I think the Relay will return to our school in 2017 because the renovations should be done by then” said sophomore Hannah Yang. “For next year’s location, I think it should be at whatever’s closest so more people from our school can go”.
A lot of the students that participate in the relay are introduced to it by fellow students. Relay for Life has been established as “the place to be” at WS for the past few years, therefore, the number of students attending next year could be exponentially lower if the location is not close to the Springfield area, as if one student decides it is too far to drive to, their friends may agree with them.

“It will probably raise a lot less money because it will be less accessible to WS students, who make a large percentage of the people that go” said senior Kinsey Miller.
As the event has been at our school for many years now and is quite popular among WS groups and clubs like Key Club and National Honor Society, a new location may cause transportation issues, and may not be as popular with our student base. Although the new venue next year may not attract as many from WS, the yet to be decided venue and the other venues available are very accessible and could be advertised at our school to gain more support. If you are looking to join a great cause and celebrate life with family and friends, sign up and meet on our field on June 12th for what could be WS’s last year hosting!
“We have one more guaranteed year, and we should celebrate that!” said Miller.