OXFORD – Oxford Academy students have joined together to support one of their fellow classmates who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A powderpuff football game and bake sale is slated to take place from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Oxford Academy and Central School football fields.
Claudia Cardona – a senior at Oxford Academy – has just completed her second round of chemotherapy, said Taylor Ament, 17, a classmate and organizer for the event.
Admission is $3, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Cardona.
“A couple of girls and I came up with the idea,” said Ament. “We thought it would be a nice, fun way for the school to join together and help raise some money for Claudia’s family because we know she is going through a tough time being sick.”
According to Ament, Cardona previously attended school in Norwich, so spectators from Norwich – or anyone from other areas – are invited to attend tonight’s event.
Said Ament’s mother, “My daughter met Claudia about six months ago or so, and I am proud of her for organizing this event to help her and her family out during this difficult time for them.”
Food has been donated by local organizations and members of the community to be sold this evening with the proceeds set to benefit Cardona’s family. School officials approved a request for a small grill to be used for a cookout that will be operated by an adult. Ament was initially not certain the grill request would be granted, but since it has, both hot and cold foods will be available.
The powderpuff game will pit the senior girls against the remaining high school grades 9-11.
T-shirts have been made by the students to show support for Cardona and they will be donned by the students this evening.
Ament’s mother added that The Stadium in Oxford has agreed to place donation cans inside its business if anyone would be willing to donate that cannot make it to the game tonight.
Ament added she would like area residents to have fun and come out to support a great young woman and a fellow classmate to those in the Oxford Academy School District. “Even if people aren’t playing in the game, there will be food and bake sale items, and it should be fun to watch,” she added.
With regard to the football game, win or lose it is bound to be a fun time, and the proceeds from the small admission fee will all go to help Cardona during this difficult time, said Ament.
“Students have worked hard to plan a fun event for a great cause,” said Oxford Academy High School Principal Janet Laytham. “We hope that lots of people will take advantage of the beautiful fall weather to come out and spectate.”