In honor of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Thomas County Central High School students and staff had an opportunity Friday to make individual fashion statements for the cause.

The school participated in “Caps for CURE,” a fundraiser suggested by the CURE Childhood Cancer organization to help support the fight to cure the disease. The TCCHS event was dubbed “Caps for a Cure.”

“We've had several students come through TCCHS who have had cancer, so we wanted to participate in order to ?show our support to find a cure for childhood cancer,” Beth Adams, assistant principal said. “The students at TCCHS are always willing to help for a good cause, and they seem to really connect to projects that help support other kids in need.”

Head gear, such as caps and hats, are not usually permitted inside the school. However, students and staff could donate $1 and wear any type of school appropriate hat or cap throughout the day. Some students wore traditional caps promoting teams, popular culture, or businesses; others got creative.

Sophomores Jaylen Brown and Micah Carroll decided to have fun with the special occasion: Brown donned a shark hat while Carroll wore a royal crown.

Brown had some extra money and wanted to donate it to the cause.

“I think it’s a pretty fair deal that we get to wear hats in exchange for an important contribution to a worthy cause,” he said.

Carroll agreed, calling the fundraiser “cool because you can save or help people by wearing hats.”

Many siblings also chose to band together for the cause. Twins Tori and Sheriden Hall, juniors, came in a princess and the Flash hats, respectively. Sheriden said the cause is a good excuse to wear a hat all day, and Flash is her favorite superhero. Tori decided to wear her princess cap because it is a positive reminder of her childhood.

The twins felt good about being able to support the cause.

“It’s nice to know we can do something for people,” Tori said.

Sisters Gabriella and Desiree Hough also participated.

“We wanted to help them find a cure for cancer,” Desiree, a junior, said.

Freshman Shelby Lewis paid to wear a cowgirl hat.

“It’s the hat that best describes me,” the barrel-racer said. “I wanted to give a dollar for a good reason.”

Teachers also supported the cause, many to set a positive example for their students and to promote the importance of school spirit.

“If teachers don't have school spirit, how can we expect our students (especially freshmen) to have it,” teacher Brett James said. “It's also a nice change of pace and it throws some of the students who are used to us dressing up and looking a certain way.”

James adds, “most every family has been affected by cancer,” so the event was “a nice way” to participate in the fight to cure the disease “while having a little fun.”

Teacher Leigh Barwick said she has “several reasons” why it’s important to participate in events like Friday’s, but “the single most important reason is to bring attention to the issue of childhood cancer and do what we can to help find a cure.”

“I hope students learn that it's easy to get involved and do something good for someone else,” she said. “One of the basic human needs is love. Giving to others is a great way to show love and feel empowered.”

TCCHS raised approximately -?$300. The funds will be sent to the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. For more information, visit the website www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

“We were very pleased with the turnout today,” Adams said. “A lot of students donated who didn't even want to wear caps, they just wanted to help.”