Walking Through the Night: The Role of Movement in Connecting SASPX for Cancer Awareness

Written by Mia Peng '28 | Edited by Anna Nonaka '27

The SASPX campus was definitely not the same as what you usually see at 8:00 PM. The field was busy; students running laps under the night sky, music playing from performances taking place near the Pizza Hut stage, friends huddling together in their blankets and hoodies, trying not to fall asleep while having a great time. However, behind all the activities lay an even more important goal.

Movement is a 24-hour overnight program that aims to help and provide awareness about people suffering from cancer. Hosted by the National Honor Society in cooperation with Tri-M, it allows students to raise funds needed by those with cancer through walking laps during the 24 hours between Friday morning and Saturday morning.

Among other events during that evening, one of the most touching moments occurred under the Pizza Hut pagoda. With the lights out, we were gathered in a circle, when anyone willing to do so could talk about how cancer affected their lives. Some shared their experience of losing their grandparents, while others shared stories of parents suffering from this disease, recovering from it, or having experienced its influence.

With no distractions around, everything felt very personal, especially since the majority of the participants rarely shared their experiences with grief or sadness with friends. The thing is, there was something magical about silence following the sharing of those personal stories. Everyone in the circle could remain silent after someone else talked without saying anything about himself or herself.

Additionally, throughout the evening, performances played a role in helping to unite the community. Performances ranged from acoustic duo songs to piano solos to band acts. From acts by Cloud 9, Purple Cow, Academic Probe Asian, and several individual vocal solos, the event not only served as a fundraiser for Cancer but also celebrated student talent. Although performing was exciting and entertaining, performances also reminded all involved of what the event stood for: each performance, lap, and donation contributed to helping individuals fighting cancer.

Movement did not succeed just because of the funds that were raised, but also due to the shared experience within the high school community. Students stayed together through exhaustion, vulnerability, and reflection, transforming a mere school fundraiser into an event that held much more meaning.

Once the 24 hours had passed, students left Movement exhausted, emotional, and feeling a deeper connection to their peers. It demonstrated how awareness was not solely gained through the act of raising money, but through conversation, empathy, and being present for people during tough times.