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West Orange High School “Concert for a Cure” Spotlights Fellow Student's Battle with Cancer
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange Band Council held their second annual fundraiser on April 25, called “Concert for a Cure,” and as talented students performed, it soon became evident that the event was taking a surprising – and emotional turn.
Last year’s concert raised money for Parkland High School following the school shooting in February, 2018. This year’s concert raised funds for those affected by cancer and to raise awareness of the disease. For many the seniors performing, it represented the last time they would be part of the activities they have loved since freshman year.
It was an enthusiastic evening of heartfelt performances from musicians, singers, and dancers. The cast of “Mamma Mia!” opened the evening with “Dancing Queen,” followed by the Orchestra, who played “Presenting Seven Nation Army.” The girls step team captured the audience with their routine, and the Winter Color Guard staged a delicate and haunting rendition of their program, “Becoming.”
The evening took a somber turn as Olivia Ridley performed in spoken word a gripping literary work she had written regarding cancer.
The Boys Step Team provided an energetic rendition of their routine and the Wind Ensemble chose “Persistence,” as their musical selection.
Senior Naudia Johnson stepped to the microphone to talk about the loss of her aunt, Alyssa Douglas. Douglas passed away 11 years ago at age 18 from cancer and was set to graduate from the high school herself. Naudia described the difficult process of grieving and loss and how she grew into becoming her own person.
The Glee Choir performed a medley of Queen songs and then senior Michael McCullom quietly walked to the microphone wearing a mask.
“When I went back to the doctor I heard the words that would change my life: You have cancer,” said McCullom as he discussed his rare form of sarcoma.
After surgery, doctors declared that they had removed the cancer and currently, McCullom is cancer-free. He is undergoing chemo through January, 2020, and has lost the second half of his senior year. McCullom was always a familiar face playing percussion with the marching band, the wind ensemble, and the percussion team.
“If I learned one thing about having cancer, it’s shown me to have more empathy for others. My message to you guys is that you try to understand each other more than you think you can,” McCullom concluded.
The Jubilee Choir ended the evening with an original song entitled “Never Alone,” performed by senior Daniela Rodriguez.
See a clip of the performances below.
See all the photos from "Concert for a Cure" here.
Mamma Mia!
Olivia Ridley
Winter Color Guard
Naudia Johnson
Michael McCullom
April 30, 2019