Middle Schoolers Volley For A Cause

By Janee Law

jlaw@longislandergroup.com

East Northport Middle School students dressed sat with their team in matching attire.

East Northport middle schoolers gathered for the annual Volley for Victory event on Nov. 18 to raise $300 for a former student who is battling leukemia.

Hosted by Students and Teachers Against Restricted Substances (STARS), the volleyball tournament has been held for 35 years and has donated proceeds to a different cause each year. This year, the event was organized by STARS advisers Roberta Heller and Alison Pieron and raised money for an East Northport Middle School graduate who is battling leukemia.

The event is aimed at teaching students to give back while providing a safe activity to engage in, district officials said. A message of making good choices is reinforced throughout.

Pieron said the “event allows students to enjoy life and truly make a difference, while being drug free.”

Students from all grade levels packed the gymnasium and formed into 20 different teams for the event.

While selling candy and t-shirts at the door to raise funds, students sat on the bleachers with their team in matching attire. Throughout the event, a DJ provided music to heighten the school spirit. The students raised approximately $300 during the event.

Students from Northport High School also attended the event to help run the tournament and serve as positive role models.

Winners of the tournament were members of team Volley Ballers, who were given special t-shirts to commemorate their victory.