Boyertown Senior High Students Earn Prestigious Recognition for Cancer Fundraising

[Editor's Note: Information and photo from Boyertown Area School District digital newsletter.]

by Expression Staff

Boyertown Area Senior High School (BASH) students Lula Mekonnen, Gianna Martin, and Piper Zaharchuk have been honored as runners-up in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) prestigious 2025 Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. Their team, aptly named Light the Fight, demonstrated extraordinary leadership, compassion, and initiative in raising both awareness and funds in support of cancer research—ultimately raising $32,746 for LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers.

The campaign is a seven-week philanthropic leadership challenge designed for exemplary high school students. This year’s competition marked the 10th anniversary of the campaign in the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA region. Light the Fight was one of 16 teams participating and played a major role in helping the region collectively raise more than $253,000.

During the campaign, the team:

• Hosted multiple fundraising events, including car washes that brought in over $1,500.
• Partnered with the school’s Key Club to create and donate 150+ handmade cards to children at Reilly Children’s Hospital.
• Conducted business presentations to secure sponsorships, impressing leaders at companies such as Global Advanced Metals and Penske Truck Leasing—resulting in expanded corporate support.
• Sent 215 personalized letters to spread awareness and request support.
• Participated in weekly meetings with LLS staff, hospital visits, and connected with a local leukemia survivor to deepen their understanding of the cause.

“These students stood out not just for their fundraising, but for the genuine passion and professionalism they brought to every aspect of the campaign,” said Patricia Meyers, Campaign Development Manager for LLS. “They are visionaries in every sense of the word.”

The momentum doesn’t stop here. Gianna and Piper have already announced their intentions to return next year and build upon this year's success, aiming to lead an even larger team with a new fundraising goal of $50,000.

The Light the Fight team extended heartfelt thanks to the Boyertown community, school staff, and every supporter who contributed to their mission. “We cannot thank the Berks County and Boyertown community enough for the incredible support,” said the team. “Everyone who volunteered, donated, or simply shared our mission helped us make a real difference.”

With their continued drive and the community’s support, Boyertown’s student leaders are not just lighting the fight: they’re leading it.

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