Manchester secures third place in LLS Student of the Year

Jordan Kuzniak, campaign manager for the Rhode Island Chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, was ecstatic despite not being able to celebrate in person the extraordinary fundraising efforts of 13 high school teams across Rhode Island.

Like countless other pre-planned celebrations, the annual LLS Grand Finale was canceled because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Nonetheless, Kuzniak and local LLS executives held a viral Grand Finale to celebrate the 2020 campaign, which resulted in 13 teams raising $111,958.11.

“Thank you for partnering with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and attending our 2020 Rhode Island Student of the Year Grand Finale,” Kuzniak told an audience watching the event. “Your commitment in helping patients who are fighting for their lives every day is critical now more than ever and we couldn’t be more appreciative of your support.”

Juliana Manchester, who will graduate from Johnston High School and enroll at Rhode Island College in the fall, was honored for raising $13,663.24.

She captained Team Panthers for a Cure, which included many members of her family, friends and JHS classmates and staked claim to a third-place overall finish for 2020.

“Juliana worked real hard … tirelessly with her teammates and we are all proud of what Team Panthers for a Cure accomplished in seven snort weeks,” Kuzniak said. “The students also learned valuable lessons throughout the fundraising campaign and can take great pride in helping others who are battling for their lives.”

In keeping with what has become a tradition of sorts concerning the LLS Student of the Year Campaign, two teams from Cranston High School West finished first and second, respectively.

The 2020 Students of the Year from Team Bad to the Bone Marrow were Ava Santamaria, Emma Hartley and Jordan Simpson, who made up Team Bad to the Bone Marrow. The second-highest fundraising team included Anastasia Coclin, Helena Medici, and Ava Gajda, who campaigned under the banner of Team Got Courage. Cutlines

TERRIFIC TEAMS:

This is the graphic from the LLS Society for the Top 3 2020 Student of the Year Fundraising Campaign. (Submitted photos) PROUD PANTHERS:

Johnston High School’s Juliana Manchester and Team Panthers for a Cure raised a tidy sum of $13,663.24 during their seven-week LLS Student of the Year Campaign.