Any sports team can raise $100 or even $1,000, but have you heard of a team that has raised over $30,000?
In the face of adversity, the EHS Varsity Cheer team has continued to embody a true spirit of compassion as they unite to raise funds for one of their own.
“There are only nine people on the Edison High Varsity advanced cheerleading team,” said cheerleader Lindsay Yascko ‘25. “We are small, but we will do anything so everyone knows the main purpose of the season: Leyla Dixon.”
Recently, cheerleader Leyla Dixon ’27 received a diagnosis of an ependymoma tumor positive with cancer cells, shaking the tight-knit community. They wasted no time in channeling their energy into a fundraising campaign called “Cheer For a Cause” to support Dixon’s journey. The community has come together in a display of empathy, proving that sometimes the strongest bonds are formed during life’s hardest challenges.
“I feel like the cheer team has one of, if not the closest bond throughout any sports team in the school,” said Yascko. “We spend so much time together that it honestly becomes a second family.”
In a quick response, all members posted Dixon’s condition on various social media platforms. Simultaneously Dixon’s aunt, Ms. Dominque Zindt, created a GoFundMe campaign to support her medical expenses. The collective efforts have proven successful, surpassing $30,000 in contributions to date. The goal is $100,000.
Furthermore, they launched an initiative by selling “Pray for Ley” bracelets for $5 each. All funds generated from the bracelet sales were directly given to support Dixon and her family during their challenging time, offering both financial assistance and a tangible symbol of unity.
Providing an opportunity for Edison High staff to contribute, the cheerleaders organized a “Jean Day.” In exchange for a $5 donation, teachers could wear jeans to school. The initiative raised over $1,000 for Dixon’s medical expenses.
For an upcoming event, the members prepare for a collaborative fundraiser with local teams at JFK Memorial High School on February 20. Titled “Cheer for a Cause,” the event promises an evening of fundraising activities, with all proceeds directly benefiting Dixon and her family.
Coaches Ms. Nicole Gregoire and Ms. Sara Yocum have expressed unwavering support for their team. They have played a crucial role in their fundraising efforts by both supervising and taking part in them. Expressing pride in their team’s collective efforts as well as in the support from the community, both coaches emphasize their ongoing commitment to supporting them in any way possible.
“I have never been so proud of a team before,” said Gregoire. “Being able to overcome such adversity is such an amazing skill that I hope they all will take with them as they move on after high school.”
To the team, Dixon is a crucial member, and they will do anything to help her.
“She is, quite honestly, the backbone of the varsity advanced team,” said cheerleader Avery Abrams ‘24.
Their focus has shifted for the rest of the year to support their teammate. While winning is great, they believe that helping her is far more rewarding than any award.
“Cheerleading is an awesome sport, but the lessons you learn off the mat as a team are even more important,” said Yocum. “They will forever remember the community that supported them in this cause.”
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to support the cause can do so by visiting the GoFundMe page. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful impact in aiding Dixon and her family during this challenging time.