Students Organize Talent Show to Help One of Their Own
By: Erin Wolfe
Updated: May 7, 2010
HANCOCK, MD - Students in Hancock are getting in the spotlight only to bring attention to one of their classmates in need.
Eighth graders at Hancock Junior-Senior High School are working together to organize a fundraiser for their friend and classmate, Taylor Lipinski. She was diagnosed with leukemia in January.
"Taylor Lipinski is a kind, caring, sweet, talented little girl who's fighting a courageous battle. She's a warrior and she's going to win this fight, and we're going to help her do it," says Larry Smith, the school's assistant principal.
On Friday evening about 40 acts took part in a talent show to benefit Taylor and her family. Even students in the elementary school signed up to do their part.
Leah Funk, one of Taylor's friends, says, "I knew that people wanted to help, but I didn't think as many people would want to join in and help as much."
Taylor undergoes weekly spinal taps for her chemo treatments and her family makes the drive down to Baltimore with her. Her friends, and even those who didn't know her too well, have been looking for a way to help since they heard the news.
Brittany Shoemaker helped organize the event. She says, "We didn't really interact a lot. I'd see her in the hallway and say, 'Hi,' but to hear about her having leukemia, it was a pretty hard hit."
Taylor won't be able to make it out to the school to see the show, but she'll still be a part of the whole thing. She'll be able to watch it live at her house via Skype.
Students say the show isn't about showing off.
Jarvis Handy, a performer in the program, adds, "We're doing this for one reason and one reason only. Not because we want people to know how good we are or how good we can dance or whatever our act is. We want them to know that we're raising money for Taylor and this is all for Taylor."
If you'd still like to help out Taylor and the Lipinski family, you can make a donation at any M&T Bank branch in Washington County. Simply ask for the donation to be made to the Taylor Lipinski Fund.
Eighth graders at Hancock Junior-Senior High School are working together to organize a fundraiser for their friend and classmate, Taylor Lipinski. She was diagnosed with leukemia in January.
"Taylor Lipinski is a kind, caring, sweet, talented little girl who's fighting a courageous battle. She's a warrior and she's going to win this fight, and we're going to help her do it," says Larry Smith, the school's assistant principal.
On Friday evening about 40 acts took part in a talent show to benefit Taylor and her family. Even students in the elementary school signed up to do their part.
Leah Funk, one of Taylor's friends, says, "I knew that people wanted to help, but I didn't think as many people would want to join in and help as much."
Taylor undergoes weekly spinal taps for her chemo treatments and her family makes the drive down to Baltimore with her. Her friends, and even those who didn't know her too well, have been looking for a way to help since they heard the news.
Brittany Shoemaker helped organize the event. She says, "We didn't really interact a lot. I'd see her in the hallway and say, 'Hi,' but to hear about her having leukemia, it was a pretty hard hit."
Taylor won't be able to make it out to the school to see the show, but she'll still be a part of the whole thing. She'll be able to watch it live at her house via Skype.
Students say the show isn't about showing off.
Jarvis Handy, a performer in the program, adds, "We're doing this for one reason and one reason only. Not because we want people to know how good we are or how good we can dance or whatever our act is. We want them to know that we're raising money for Taylor and this is all for Taylor."
If you'd still like to help out Taylor and the Lipinski family, you can make a donation at any M&T Bank branch in Washington County. Simply ask for the donation to be made to the Taylor Lipinski Fund.
