Eagles Soar for a Cure

Chaminade Julienne sophomores Taren Prinz and Maggie Weckesser are making a difference on campus and in the community with their Eagles Soar for a Cure effort.

Prinz and Weckesser were nominated as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Students of the Year from CJ.
Through this philanthropic leadership development program, Prinz, Weckesser and other student participants develop entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management skills. Their efforts result in funds raised for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, whose global mission is to to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma — and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

“There's a quote by Mother Teresa that says, ‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop,’” said Libby Harbaugh, language department chair. “Maggie and Taren are most certainly making their drops in the ocean that is Dayton.”

Being of service to others is nothing new for CJ students as service is a hallmark of the school’s founding orders.

“Being at CJ, I have learned just how important it is to give back to the community through service,” Weckesser said. “Not only because that is what Jesus did throughout his lifetime and wants us to do, but also because when we put our efforts and energy into something we’re passionate about, no matter how young we may be, we really can make a difference.”

Prinz translates gratitude into action.

“I am lucky to live the life I have, and I recognize there are others out there less fortunate,” he said. “I am in a position to help others lead a better life. I want to make a positive difference for them.”

Making a difference became even more important after Prinz and Weckesser spoke with young cancer patients and their families. They quickly learned how much cancer affects every aspect of their lives.

“No one wants to experience a life-threatening cancer and yet people go through it every day,” Prinz said. “Small kids, like Elijah and Kase, are in the fight of their life – for their life!”

But these children and countless others battling cancer are not fighting alone as Prinz and Weckesser and the Eagles Soar for a Cure team are working hard to contribute to a cure.

“They are perfect for the job because of the positive energy and leadership they bring to the experience,” Harbaugh said of Prinz and Weckesser said.

“The joy, balance, organization and pride with which I've seen Maggie and Taren step up and into meetings with donors, CJ reps, Dayton Children's, their fundraising teams and beyond has been pretty incredible to witness. I'm so excited for and proud of them.”

While Prinz and Weckesser are the face of the team, they are quick to share the credit with a 35-person team comprised of CJ students and parents.

“Our parents have been extremely supportive in getting us where we need to be, and our teachers have been so gracious and flexible with everything regarding our campaign as well,” Weckesser said. “We truly couldn’t ask for a better team.”

To learn more, visit Weckesser and Prinz's sitehttps://events.lls.org/sohd/daytonsoy22/mweckesser.
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