Beads that mark every lap

By: Melanie Cassel

On April 15, 2011, hundreds of people gathered at Frostburg State University (FSU) for Relay for Life, an event that raises awareness and money for the battle against cancer. The teams relaying at FSU raised approximately $50,727.00 altogether. One of the teams was BURG Peer Education Network, known as BURG to many on campus, which raised over $3,200.00.

Relay for Life is not the only way BURG has been fighting against cancer. On April 11th, BURG held a Cancer Awareness and Prevention Fair. President of Burg, Laura Fehle explained, "Relay for Life is sort of a final fundraiser for us." The BURG team camped out all night and took turns walking around the track. They also had a table set up where they sold key chains to those who wanted a personal souvenir from the 2011 Relay. The key chain and beads were only $2.00. "You put a bead on your key chain after every lap you walk all the same color. After every mile you get to choose a different color bead to mark it." explains Fehle. Each key chain is able to hold up to 18 miles. Once you filled up your key chain you had the option to buy a $1.00 charm made out of a bottle cap that said, "Relay for Life 2011" which the BURG team creatively made themselves. "I love my key chain. It's super cute; I'm going to keep it as a memory forever." explains Lorrainne Lyford, a 2011 participant.

Everyday, millions of people around the globe are affected by cancer. Visit Relay for Life and join the battle against cancer near you.

Brittney Burton: A Relayer's Take on Life

By: Logan Hubert

On a cold, windy night on the track, I found Brittney Burton, a Junior at Frostburg State University who majors in Psychology. The Cumberland native was relaying for the Residence Hall Association. "I do relay because two of my Aunt's are survivors of cancer and I think it's a great cause to support" she said. She also said that she loves relay for life, but two main parts especially. "I love to see everyone in Frostburg come together as a community and I also like dancing around the track."

Since it was her second year attending the event, she knew that she was going to have a good time and raise a lot of money. There were a couple booths in particular she liked the most she said. "I enjoyed the funnel cake booth and the Honor Society's raffle the most even though I liked all of them this year." Brittney won a $50.00 gift certificate to Independent Inc. after donating ten dollars to that one raffle in particular. "I really wanted that gift certificate and since all of the money was going to the American Cancer Society, I wouldn't be upset if I didn't win," she said.

The Junior also shared with me her favorite movie and band. "My favorite movie is Diary of a Wimpy Kid and my favorite band at the moment is Panic! At The Disco," she said. "My favorites can change from week to week depending on my mood and how I am feeling." Tying into her major at Frostburg, she said that she really likes Diary of a Wimpy Kid because "it's a good portrayal of what every adolescence goes through in their transition from elementary school to middle school, like worrying about what others think of them and beginning to notice the opposite sex." She also stated that they are nice family films. "You can watch them wiwth parents or children and not have to censor anything." She also said that she liked them because they remind her of her younger brothers.

Right before Brittney left, I asked her if there was anything she would change about Relay for Life. She said, "I wouldn't change anything about relay itself, but I would make a rain date considering the weather wasn't that great." Other than that, she can't wait for next year's Relay For Life, and neither can I!

The Frostburg Student Education Association's campsite blows everyone away.

By: Stephanie Jones

As you made your way to the track for the 2011 Relay for Life of Frostburg State University on Friday, April 15th, not only were you probably blown away by the huge gusts of wind, but also by the Frostburg Student Education Association’s campsite. The theme for this year’s relay was Carnival for a Cure, and the many members of FSEA worked hard to create a campsite that captured the fun and inviting atmosphere of a Carnival.

Graduate student, Kelly Elliton, who has also been the team captain for the past two years played a huge role in FSEA’s overall success in this year’s Relay for Life event. “Last year we did the whole carnival theme, and it’s interesting to see that the event itself has taken on that theme this year,” laughs Elliton, “But we’ve stepped it up quite a bit this year.”

I’m sure many would agree with Elliton on that note. The campsite itself was filled with nothing but bright colors, balloons, banners, and the many smiling faces of the FSEA members running the games. Participants flocked to the games that FSEA had sponsored, including familiar ones like “Pick a Duck” or “Ring Toss". Everyone who donated at least a dollar was guaranteed to win a prize.

One glance towards the fence behind their campsite, and you would notice a list of sponsors painted on a wooden board with polka dots surrounding the brightly colored letters. Elliton explains just how easy it was get businesses to sponsor such an important cause. “Since I’m graduating this spring, I typed up a letter and had the new FSEA officers hand the letters out to the local businesses,” explains Elliton, “most of the people were more than happy to help out in any way possible.” A couple of prizes that participants were guaranteed to win included: sweatshirts, key chains, and wallets, all of which were donated by the FSU Bookstore.

“Simply pay a dollar and save a life,” announced sophomore Jenny Davis while crowds walked up towards FSEA’s campsite. Davis, like everyone else who attended this year’s event, realized that every penny counts. “My friend and my aunt battled cancer and they mean a lot to me,” said Davis, “helping to fundraise more money for cancer research is the least that I could do.”

Not only did these future educators impress many with their well decorated campsite and kid-friendly games, FSEA fundraised over $1,600 for the 2011 Relay for Life of Frostburg. Elliton agrees that being an education major helped with not only organizing but also the creativity needed for this year’s Relay for Life. “We just wanted to have fun and create a campsite that would allow other participants to do so,” smiles Elliton, “More importantly, Relay for Life is such an important event for the campus and we are more than happy to give a helping hand in any way possible.”

Pictured: FSEA members-Annemarie Triano and Meredith Pagenhardt

Illuminating HOPE

By: Andrea Lynch

Every year there is one major aspect of Relay for Life that everyone anticipates, this aspect is called the Luminaria Ceremony. This ceremony is always a highlight of the evening. This is due to our bleachers becoming a home to the memories of survivors and the loved ones that has lost someone.


Before the ceremony begins, volunteers place Luminaria bags on our bleachers to spell out the word HOPE, pictured left. Such a little word, but holds so much strength and will power. Due to the weather this year the Luminaria bags could not be lit. When the announcer stated such, the look of disappointment was across many faces. "That's my favorite part!" whimpered Deja Darden. Deja, a graduating senior this upcoming May, could not believe that at her last relay at FSU the Luminaria's was not going to be lit. "But it's cool; I know relay has no control over what Mother Nature does."


Even though the Luminaria's were not lit the first lap around the track after the ceremony was still as emotional as if the bags were lit. In order to have enough Luminaria's, every Wednesday two members of Frostburg State University's Relay team sat at a table in the Lane Center and sold Luminaria's. Even at the actual Relay event many participants were still buying them. As I went up to buy a Luminatia, a volunteer explained to me that, "by purchasing Lumnaria's someone is able to remember loved ones lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle."


"Supporters make it possible. Scientists make it happen. Survivors make it personal."


There is nothing more personal than fighting for the one's we love. Each April, Frostburg State University helps bring the step to fighting for cancer in thousands of people lives a little easier. Whether it is the money raised, the celebration for survivors or the silence for loved ones that someone lost.

Playing around for cancer

By: Ashley Burdin
On a windy night in Frostburg, MD students, faculty, and the community gathered together at Frostburg State University for Relay for Life. Relay for life is an event for cancer research. Organizations from the university and community form teams and “relay” for life. The end goal is to raise money and awareness.

One of the ways to raise money is fundraising through games. One game was a soccer tournament which takes place on the field in the middle of the stadium. This soccer game had students from both the boy's soccer team, girl’s soccer team, and students who were not soccer players at all. The game was a “pickup game”, meaning that anyone could play. When asked how a pickup game works, Dorie Gedridge replied with, “A pickup game is just when you pickup players, anyone can play.” While the students had the competitive spirit, they knew the event was just for fun. Tom Bennett, who is not a soccer player but a track runner, said in good humor “it was fun but those kids were playing way too serious.” Along with the event being just for fun, there was no actual “winner.” This helped the students just enjoy the game. While the students were playing soccer in the middle of the stadium, the rest of the participants were enjoying the rain free event while hoping the rain did not start. If the rain had started the event would have been moved inside to the universities gymnasium.

Relay for life events are held all across the nation. For information on how to get involved in Relay for life click on the link above. Chances are you or someone you know has been affected by cancer and the Relay for Life is a great way to get involved and help.

Cold temperatures can't stop sunny Taylor Lee

By Jess Growden

On a cold and breezy night in Frostburg, students, professors, and community members walked to help in the struggle against cancer.  Some walked for family members and others walked for themselves.  Taylor Lee, a freshman from Prince George’s County, walked for her cousin Tiffany.  At first, Taylor had planned on walking just to help, but then she remembered that cancer had, in fact, touched her family.  

Her cousin was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer in her twenties – the age of most of the women on the track last night.  The survival rate for that diagnosis is only 20-50 %, but Tiffany was lucky.  The experience left her unable to have children, but she recovered.  She is now healthy and engaged to be married this year.  To celebrate Tiffany’s survival, Taylor joined the Echostars Team and helped them raise $1,470.83.  

At 10:00 on the night of the Relay for Life, she was making her way around the track, watching the games and events happening around her.  Most memorable was the drag queen pageant.  “That’s my favorite part so far,” she said.  “I’ve seen a lot of drag queen movies.  My favorite is To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.”  She felt that the Frostburg boys did pretty well, “especially the one in fishnets and platforms.”  Despite the chilly gusts, the boys dutifully pranced around the track in heels and evening gowns, earning donations for boob grabs and ass slaps. 

Frostburg students did a great job in raising money and awareness, but Taylor echoed a common sentiment: it’s hard being a poor college student!  “I would love to give a lot [of money] because I think it’s great.  I can give a penny because they say every penny counts!”

To learn more about the types of cancer that effect women and how they can be prevented, click here.

Our Stars

At 50 degrees, it was not a night that anyone would be outside on their own will. Walking through the cold chain link fence onto Frostburg State University's football field, you could not only see but feel the hope, warmth, and love of all the Relay For Life cancer survivors and their families.

Once a year groups of people all over the world gather at local high schools, parks, and fairgrounds to celebrate the lives of people who have fought and one the battle against cancer. They are also there to remember those who have passed away from the disease, and raise money for the American Cancer Society. Many different groups and societies are part of the event walking the track all night long, but here at Frostburg one particular group stood out calling themselves Shelle's Stars.

The group started by Whitney Glotfelty are first time participants of Relay For Life. Shelle's Stars is created in memory of Glotfelty's Aunt, Michelle Eggleston who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and passed away after a year and a half of fighting the disease. Eggleston was married to Grantsville Elementary Schools Principal, Matt Eggleston, and had two sons now eight and ten years old. Eli, the eldest of the two remembers his mom as being very nice and an active person. People have told Eli he is very much like his mom, "People say I look like her. She loved ice cream, I love ice cream, she loved chocolate, I love chocolate!" Eli proclaims. Holding back a laugh he also says, "Dad says Im like her because I walk in front of him and then slow down. He says mom used to do that."

The very close and open family of Michelle Eggleston came together for Relay for life in memory of there mother, Aunt, sister, and close friend, but also raised money for the American Cancer Society. Eli, who according to his cousin Whitney Glotfelty doesn't like to take credit for things, raised one hundred and five dollars towards the foundation with the help of his fifth grade teacher. The group was also selling delicious chocolate covered pretzels, and raffle tickets during the time of the event for a chance to win a beautiful wreath, and a leaf blower.

After dark, candles inside white, sand filled paper bags are lit one by one. These bags have the names of all those touched by cancer, and a silent lap is walked in remembrance of the loved ones lost by the disease. While walking slowly around the track, the luminaries circling the football field seem to twinkle like stars. Michelle Eggleston is one of the billions of people having dealt with cancer in the world that need our help and donations. To donate, go to www.cancer.org. Being a part of Relay For Life is definitely an experience everyone should have.