One student's vision to use volleyball as a force for good brought the Lake Oconee Academy community together for an evening of gratitude, service, and generosity. During the Lady Titans' Varsity Volleyball Honor Teacher Night on September 10, the team hosted "Kills for a Cure," a student-led fundraiser benefiting the Winship Cancer Institute.
The event celebrated educators who have made a difference in the lives of LOA's senior volleyball players and honored LOA English teacher Caroline St. John, whose life was saved through treatment at Winship.
Senior Jordan Klevansky, an All-Region volleyball player who plans to pursue a career in cancer research, envisioned an event that would use athletics to support families facing cancer.
"I wanted to create an event that gave our team an opportunity to use volleyball to make a difference,” Klevansky said. “Mrs. St. John has impacted so many students at LOA, and supporting the Winship Cancer Institute felt like a meaningful way to honor her while helping other families facing similar journeys."
Before the opening serve, senior volleyball players recognized the teachers who had made a difference in their lives, inviting them onto the court to celebrate the lasting influence educators have beyond the classroom. Among those honored was Mrs. St. John, making the evening's tribute to Winship even more meaningful.
Years ago, doctors weren't sure Caroline St. John would survive leukemia, much less one day become a teacher and mother. Thanks to the care she received through the Winship Cancer Institute, she now teaches English at LOA and is the proud mother of Mac, an LOA third grade student. Watching her students honor both her journey and the institution that helped save her life created a meaningful full-circle moment for everyone in attendance.
"Watching our students lead this event was more meaningful than words can even describe,” said St. John. “Their willingness to plan this event and to serve others in similar situations reminded me why I love being an educator and a part of the LOA family. It was an evening I'll never forget. I was moved to tears.”
Student-led service initiatives are a hallmark of the culture at Lake Oconee Academy, where students are encouraged to identify needs, develop solutions, and lead with compassion. These projects not only provide meaningful support for worthy causes, but also instill the values of servant leadership, generosity, and community engagement. This year's “Kills for a Cure” initiative alone raised more than $8,000 for the Winship Cancer Institute.
As the final point was played and the gym slowly emptied, the meaning of the evening extended far beyond volleyball. One student's idea became an opportunity for an entire community to come together and make a difference. It was a reminder that some of the most meaningful lessons students learn at Lake Oconee Academy aren't found only in classrooms or on scoreboards. They are found in choosing to make a difference in someone else's life.