News : \'Nothing but Pink\' as Vikettes honor area breast cancer survivors, raise funds

This pink primate helped rally school spirit and show support for breast cancer survivors.

Monica Stark and Maria Davis VGH Imaging Services shared information at VSHS Friday evening.

Breast cancer survivors were honored at halftime Friday; they pose for a group photo.

Cancer survivor Shelly Kreutner escorted by daughter Paige (4) and her teammate Shelby Beyer Friday.

For the Vinton-Shellsburg girls basketball team, Friday was a wonderful, emotional night.

Oh, and they won the game too.

The Vikettes easily defeated Clear Creek-Amana, 52-27. Coach Deb Hanneman was very happy with the team play, and particularly with the passing game of her senior centers, Allison Emrich and Makenzie Westendorf.

But after the game, it was not the results on the scoreboard that inspired the coach, but the interaction that her players had had with local breast cancer survivors.

Each of two dozen cancer survivors was introduced at half-time, and escorted to the court by a VS Vikette basketball player.

"This was the first time that the girls participated like this," said Hanneman.

While some of the players were meeting the survivor they escorted for the first time, many of them accompanied women they know well. The survivors honored Friday included mothers, grandmothers, teachers, friends and neighbors of the players.

Paige Kreutner was just starting school when her mother, Shelly, was diagnosed 13 years ago. On Friday, Paige and teammate Shelby Beyer escorted Shelly. Another Viking senior, Erika Hammar is a granddaughter of a breast cancer survivor, Nancy Hammar. Erika and teammate Ashley Strong escorted Nancy to center court.

Other survivors honored included VSHS French teacher Lois Mulvaney and golf coach Janet Woodhouse.

Last Friday in Vinton was the first of two consecutive "Pink Night" Fridays at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School gym. During the halftime of the VIkettes varsity game vs. Clear Creek-Amana, breast cancer survivors were honored. The selling of special t-shirts and the raffle of a basketball is also part of the program.

Next Friday, Feb. 11, the boys will also participate, during their home contest against Solon. For more information, contact Hanneman at VSHS, 436-4728, Extension 3.

This is the second consecutive year for the V-S pink fund-raiser. Last year's effort raised $1,000, which the team donated to Virginia Gay Hospital for its breast cancer fighting efforts. Hanneman said they are still tallying the total of this year's fund-raising effort. In addition to the T-shirt sales, there was also a silent auction of a pink basketball used for the tip-off. John's Quik Stop bought that ball for $200.

Survivors introduced Friday include:

- Diane Berger, 4 years

- Kathie Ervin, 2010

-Amy Garwood, 2 years

- Gretta Geiken, 13 years

-Nancy Hammar, 11 years

- Roxanne Harms, 5 years

- Deanna Henkle, 14 years

- Jacquie Hodgson, 2 years

- Barb Johnson, 2 years

- Shelly Kreutner, 13 years

- Nancy Long, 2010

- Lu Ann Karr, 2010

- Sue Mangold, 10 years

- Donna Merchant, 5 months

- Dilyn McNeill, 2010

- Lois Mulvaney, 3 years

- Erma Neve, 22 years

- Judy Renken, 2010

- Lisa Staab, 2 years

- Angie Tharp, 2 years

- Deb Wilberg, 4 years

- Barbara Wittmer, 23 years

- Janet Woodhouse, 21 years

- Dawn Yenser

Other survivors who could not attend, but received recognition, included:

- Elsie Grimm

- Sharon Haefner, 5 years

- Peggy Harris, 5 years

- Ramona Harvey

- Arlene Merchant, 14 years

- Pat Morrow

- Cindy Pattee

- Eunice Pingenot

- Evelyn Roths, 39 years

- Charlotta Toth Fisher

- Delores Van Eschen

- Janet WIley

- Glynna Wilt

- Sharon Wright