Whenever one drowsily lies on the couch, attempting to watch the new episode of the show they adore after a strenuous week of school-work, it always seems that there is a sudden interruption involving a heartbreaking commercial discussing the severity of cancer, how the viewer needs to donate immediately as every dollar can save a life. While these messages are generally meant to be daunting and unsettling, it often seems that the viewer only feels pain momentarily, not because of the commercial, but because their amusing show was just interrupted. For Palos Verdes High School, however, raising money for such a great cause has every Sea King on the edge of their seat.
The reason people may appear so indifferent in this situation is due to a lack of personal connection. There is nothing the viewer can relate to; nothing telling the viewer why they specifically have the burden to support cancer research and development. While this can be said for most people, it cannot be said for a Sea King, as Palos Verdes High School lost one of their very own to cancer a couple of years ago. This is a connection that is the most personal of all, that any Sea King past, present, and future can relate to: the loss of a fellow innocent student that was put through the same troubles of homework and tests as we were, but with the extra hardship of cancer on his hands.
Brian Booth, a sophomore at PV High at the time, was not able to finish high school as he was unfairly taken away by Ewing Sarcoma in 2012, an often deadly type of cancer that develops from various tissues of the body such as fat and muscle. After discovering that he had cancer in the 9th grade, Brian did not begin high school with a normal freshman experience. High school students often complain about the excessive amount of schoolwork and homework they receive, yet in Brian’s case, not only did he face such challenges at school, but also from his illness. In 2011, a year before he died, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School invited PVHS to join their annual Walk for Life, a fundraiser devoted to raising money for cancer research and awareness. Brian, to whom the Walk for Life was dedicated that year, was endlessly fighting a gallant battle, despite the severity of his cancer. The same year he passed away, Palos Verdes High School’s Be The Change leadership program was created, and it was decided that our school would have a similar annual event in honor of Brian. Be The Change, run under Mrs. Stapleton and Ms. Clement at the time, dedicated a memorial event named Brian’s Walk to recognize Brian for his boundless courage even during the worst of times.
Mrs. Stapleton explains that “[Be The Change] took this on as one of their biggest projects. We donate the funds raised to the [Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center] at UCLA, where he [Brian Booth] was a patient.” The JCCC, as it’s titled for short, under the direction of Dr. Noah Federman, is dedicated to researching Pediatric Sarcoma, and has worked with PV High numerous times now to ensure that Brian’s Walk receives the attention it deserves.
Brian’s Walk has undoubtedly been a success, raising over $60,000 in just two years, however, this year, Be The Change will honor other Sea Kings in their memorial walk who have suffered the same fate. Students like Sean Heffernan, who died at the age of 17 in early 2013 by a drunk driver, and Andrew Sakura, who was also killed at 17 in a tragic car accident in 2008, unjustifiably suffered as well while still thriving at PVHS like their fellow peers. Due to this, Be The Change, now led by Mrs. Kostrencich, have decided to expand Brian’s Walk to encompass all of the Sea Kings who have been lost, whether it be 50 years ago, or five years ago.
Remember the Tritons, the name of this newfound event, plans to accomplish the same goals as in past years, though now honoring everyone who has been lost. Taking place on Saturday, February 21st, the walk aims to raise money for the UCLA JCCC once again. The walk, like last year, will take place at PVHS, with registration beginning promptly at 9:00 a.m. The amount one pays is discretionary, however, $25 earns one a t-shirt and participation in the walk, while anything over allows one to become a sponsor. The kick-off ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m., beginning the walk at 11:00 a.m., and will conclude with a carnival titled “Sea King Family Fun Day” including live entertainment, food trucks, and interactive booths sponsored by PVHS clubs and other programs. The walk and carnival are tremendous ways to bring the community together while celebrating the lives of former Sea Kings and raising money for a great cause.
Be The Change hopes that Sea Kings will come out to support Remember the Tritons and recognize their fellow peers whose lives were cut too short. Mrs. Kostrencich explained that “We are hoping that the event will [continue] for years to come as Remember the Tritons will unfortunately have continuous reasons to remember those that we lost.” The loss of Brian Booth, Sean Heffernan, and Andrew Sakura, among others, is a terrifying occurrence that the Palos Verdes community will never forget. Even so, as Sea Kings encounter future commercials and other media relating to cancer or unfortunate circumstances, they may dismiss the message on a superficial level, but inside, they will always remember the tritons.