Over the last 20 years, the Xavier Booster Club has raised and allocated more than $1.2 million in support of academic, athletic and fine art activities. Annually each spring, coaches submit a request to the Xavier Activities Director for the Booster Club to consider supporting. Funds allocated are from dollars raised through the concessions stands, membership, NFL Raffle and program sales.
55 cheerleaders with pink bows, 20 with pink poms, a community united for 1 cause.
Every October, the Xavier Cheerleaders honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink hair bows, pink face paint, and this year, pink poms.
Earlier this year, Xavier cheer coach Erica Rheinschmidt had the idea that the cheerleaders could also use pink poms throughout October to spread awareness to those who have fought or are fighting breast cancer in the community.
“Our XHS cheerleaders always give 100% and this is just one extra way to show our support. It's an idea I've had in the past, but with limited funds couldn't quite make it happen. I thought this would be the perfect thing to request from the Booster Club,” Rheinschmidt said.
The Xavier Booster Club really made this vision come to life.
“The Booster Club felt it was a good idea to gift the cheerleaders with pink poms because many Xavier families have been affected by this disease,” Geralynn Schneider, cheerleading representative for the Booster Club said. “This is just a small way to show public support for their battle.”
As Schneider mentioned, Breast Cancer Awareness Month hits home for quite a few Xavier families, some of whom are cheerleaders. Taylor Coester, a senior cheerleader at Xavier, has seen a number of her family members fight breast cancer throughout her life.
“My great grandmother died from breast cancer and my aunt, grandmother and close family friends have all successfully battled breast cancer,” Coester said. “Although I was pretty young when my family members went through it, it was just last year that my close family friend, Jean Knepper, went through her own battle. This time was extremely difficult for my family because Jean has always been like an aunt to me and my brothers.”
Coester expanded on how Knepper has been family friends with the Coester family for years and how this time helped her realize the importance of family.
“Her dedication to her family has always been admirable to me. She’s made a lot of sacrifices to give her family what they have,” Coester said. “She didn’t let cancer take away the time she spent with her family. Her battle reminded me that family is forever and to cherish the time you’re given with the people you love.”
Along with the Friday night football games in October, the Xavier cheerleaders will be showing off their new pink poms as they cheer on the walkers and runners at the Especially for You Race on Sunday, October 6.
“It’s a way to celebrate survivors and support the fight against breast cancer,” Coester said. “It’s a little way we can let people know we’re here for them.”
The Xavier Booster Club has always been, and continues to be, a huge support for the Xavier community.
“It’s awesome that the Booster Club is not only supporting those families that have been affected, but are also giving us, as students, the means to support the cause,” Coester said.
Join the cheerleaders in a pink out at the football game on Friday, October 4, at Dubuque Wahlert to spread Breast Cancer Awareness. Or help run, walk or volunteer at the Especially for You Race on Sunday, October 6.
Pink bows, pink poms.
One community, one cause.
If you are interested in joining the Xavier Booster Club, please click on the link below – 100% of your membership fee will be used to support Xavier High School.