The start of spirit week, Spring into Support, was a purple party to support Julia Pratte, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma cancer in late October. This is a cancerous tumor that grows from soft tissue to the bones.

“I’d love to see people support Julia because she deserves a happy ending more than anyone else,” senior Riley Coyle said.

Special education teacher Nora Tomasik  and Teaching and Learning Coach Lori Grant initiated the idea of Spirit Week to honor and help people in the Kaneland community who are going through hard times.

“It would be a success if there is awareness and participation,” Grant said.

Grant said Tomasik chose purple because purple is Julia’s favorite color.

On Monday there was a coffee can passed around the cafeteria during all lunch periods to collect spare change. Everyone who donated change received a raffle ticket, and at the end of the day a purple gift basket was given away. Coincidentally, it was Tomasik who won.

PE Leadership and Student Council students have also been helping.

“I knew this spirit week would be a great idea, and I can’t wait to see everyone supporting Julia on Monday,” student council member Riley Hannula said.

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The basket prize for Monday.