Each year, the Sundown High School Cheerleaders have fund-raised for a family in need.
The annual bake sale has seen a lot of success in recent years. Sundown ISD attributes the success of each bake sale to the constant support of the Sundown community. For the community of Sundown, bake sale items, nor the silent auction items, are what draws a significant crowd, but it is the willingness to display support for their fellow community members. For such a small and close knit community, Principal Salazar explained that community members send money with their children to purchase items throughout the day. Those community members also shows up to bid on the generously donated silent auction items. “This year was no different, as students came to school loaded with cash and ready to spend on sweets,” said Salazar.
The Sundown Community continues to bring light to a world that is in desperate need of hope, love and support explained Salazar. “Times continue to be tough for so many people in our community, as we battle through so many things that come unexpectedly into our lives,” said Salazar. “Unfortunately for the Diaz Family, they have been hit twice.” A mother and daughter currently battling cancer, Debbie and Kennedi Diaz have been dealt an unexpected hand in their lives. K. Diaz, a junior at Sundown High School, is an active member of the Sundown Cheer Team and a tuba player for the Pride of the Oil Patch.
This year, the SHS Cheerleaders chose felt the Diaz family to assist in their battle with cancer.
“The Diaz family has been a staple in our community, and their struggle has become our struggle as we continue to fight through this battle with them,” said Salazar. “We are hopeful that we will get to see Kennedi back in our halls, but for now she continues to battle through this terrible illness.”
K. Diaz has battled with cancer since the end of last school year, and has continued to receive support from her schoolmates and individuals around the community.
For Sammie Diaz, he continues to serve his family during a time where his family needs him the most.
Salazar added that Mr. Diaz is having to make many trips to Lubbock for treatments for both his wife and his daughter.
“He has had to endure the pain of seeing his loved ones going through so much during this season of their lives,” said Salazar.
With Mrs. Diaz fighting her own battle with cancer, it has definitely taken its toll on the family as she has managed to stay strong with her own battle as well as providing love and support for her daughter’s struggles through cancer.
“The Diaz family remains in good spirits, as they bring so much hope and light to our community through their own time of need,” said Salazar. “They have inspired the community to love one another, and to lift each other up during a time of need. They have taught us how to fight, and to remain strong in their faith in order to endure some of life’s most challenging battles!” Through bake sale items, silent auction items, coins for cancer, and generous donations, Sundown High School Principal, Jeremy Griffith, took the opportunity to present a check in the amount of $10,179 to Mr. Diaz.
Mr. Griffith presented the check to Mr. Diaz and explained that the money that was collected was a couple thousand more than the original amount.
Salazar said Mr. Diaz was left speechless, holding the check in his hand, and humbled at the thought of the Sundown community coming together for him and his family.
“Tears of joy were exchanged, and the Diaz family was blessed the Sundown way,” said Salazar.