Mrs. Barb Craft, attendance secretary, is one of the many staff members supporting the Dash for Hope by wearing her green shirt. Photo by: Eric Burch

By Eric Burch

The “Dash for Hope” is running up on the schedules quickly. This event will be taking place on March 16th, the day before St. Patrick’s Day.

“I just ‘Hope’ I could be as strong,” Mrs. Kelsey Flynn said in an interview about Hope Banghart. Banghart is a sophomore at Plymouth High School and found out at the end of June  2012 that she was diagnosed with leukemia. She has not been able to attend school all year long, but has been doing online classes. Mrs. Flynn said that she created the St. Patty’s Day Dash event last year because “St. Patrick’s day has always been a special day” in her family. Mrs. Flynn goes on to tell that she felt she wanted to give back so she spoke with her husband and other friends about what they thought about the idea. The event for Eric Day happened and afterwards she went out to eat with him. Flynn says that Day had her promise to sponsor the event again and Flynn agreed. In the fall, Flynn heard of Hope and later in the year she met with Hope’s mother. They discussed sponsoring Hope for the second second annual “St. Patty’s Day Dash.”

Hope Banghart said that she is excited because last year’s event was so successful. She said that she will be able to attend the event.  Banghart said that her health is improving and things are going really well right now. Hope said that she was calm, except she did in fact cry. “I had already known that it was cancer before I had even left Plymouth to go to Riley’s, so most of the shock had passed, but I was crying because I would miss out on Crimson this whole school year. That was a big blow,” she said. She says that she is thankful because of people who had been there the entire time. When asked about certain individuals who have helped out, she replied, “My family (of course), Mariah Tepper, and my pastors and their families have been there for me the whole time. My family was there almost constantly,” she said,  and “My pastors have come to visit me almost every month, if not more.”  Her favorite quote that guided her throughout this journey is from Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Mr. Phil Koops, biology teacher, supports Hope Banghart by purchasing a t-shirt. Photo by: Eric Burch

Sophomore Mariah Tepper said that she will not be running; however, freshman Kiara Meadors says that she will be running. Senior Tori Godwin said, “I’m thinking about it. I’ve always wanted to do a race like this because they are always for a good cause and I love to help people.” Godwin said, “Yes I do know her. I’ve been friends with her for about 3 or 4 years now.” Tepper says she has known her since seventh grade. Meadors does not know her, but said that she loves running for a good cause. She said, “I am planning on just getting a good mindset on the race.” Meadors may know what she is doing, since she is not a rookie at running at the event, as she ran at it last year.

“I hope this race goes well and earns a lot of money for Hope,” Meadors closes with. Godwin said “Having a family member or a friend with cancer, or really any type of illness or disease is hard to see, especially when you want to cure it, but can’t. I just wish the best for anyone going through that. Stay strong, everyone!” “Hope is the bravest person I know. I love her to death,” said Tepper.  Flynn said that she believes that Banghart and last year’s  Eric Day have very similar personalities from what she has heard from friends of Banghart. They both make the best out of a frightening situation. Banghart ended her interview with, “I want to tell everyone that their support has been AMAZING. The things the school alone has done for me has left me speechless.”

Mrs. Flynn said you can still buy shirts to wear around the school and if you have any questions to contact her. The “Dash for Hope” is happening Saturday, March 16th. Registration is at 8:00 am and the race starts 10:00 am.

T-shirts were not the only item sold for the Dash. Bracelets were also being sold for one dollar. Photo by: Eric Burch