ND STUDENTS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR CLASSMATE

Notre Dame Regional High School seniors showed support for a classmate and his family with a benefit walkathon Wednesday morning.

Students raised more than $5,000 in a walk to benefit the family of classmate Wes Steele, whose father, Etson, was diagnosed with cancer last year. Wes' sister, Kelsey, is a freshman at Notre Dame.

The pledge amount sets a record for the annual event, which is part of the senior class social outreach ministry. Each year, seniors meet to vote for a cause they want to support, then hold a five-mile pledge walk the day before Thanksgiving.

The students began their trek at Old St. Vincent's Church. They followed a lead car in a route that took them to St. Vincent de Paul and St. Mary Cathedral churches. Prayers were offered at each stop before the students returned to Old St. Vincent's. "It is a senior class tradition," said Flo Johnson, one of several adults who walked throughout Cape Girardeau with the students. "This year the students came to me and asked if they could walk for the Steele family. We put it to a vote and the entire class wanted to do this for Wes, his sister, and their mom and dad."Despite chilly temperatures, 86 students turned out for the walk. Wes was among the walkers participating in the event, even though he hadn't solicited any pledges for the event."They didn't want me to take any pledges," he said. "It feels wonderful to know how much people care. It just shows how close the Notre Dame family is and how we're there for each other and support each other."Wes said his father has been undergoing treatments in St. Louis and appears to be progressing well. He said he hopes to see future senior classes look within their own family for worthy causes."People see how much we really appreciate what they're doing, and I think maybe it will become something they do every year," he said. "We're just very thankful to everyone for showing their support."Johnson said the students' willingness to do something for the Steele family makes an important statement about the school. "This is the first time we've ever done something for someone within our own family," she said. "At Notre Dame, we are small enough to feel connected to everyone, and to share joys as well as sorrow and pain. As family, the seniors wanted to do something for one of their own."The money the students raise will be given to the family during the All-School Mass in December.