ODA receives Top Youth Award

Students of the Out-of-Door Academy gathered Jan. 25 in the school's Thunderdome as representatives of the American Cancer Society recognized their achievement of raising $75,000 during a Relay for Life event last year.

Of all school's with student populations of less than 1,000 nationwide, ODA ranked fourth in fundraising in 2011. The feat earned them the ACS's Top Youth Award.

"It really drives our mission," ACS Area Executive Director Cynthia Dunlap said of fundraisers such as the one held by ODA students. "It allows the American Cancer Society a venue to show who we are and all we do as an organization."

ODA students already are preparing for the school's next Relay for Life, which will be held in April.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].