Ex-presidents to rally for Relay for Life

Three faces from Mt. Rushmore will visit St. Charles North High School on Monday to raise money for the school's second annual Relay for Life.

Students have scheduled a presidential debate featuring a trio of professional actors playing Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt.

Ben Gaddis, a senior who is chairing this year's relay, said the event should generate some lively discussion on the former presidents' places in history and topics such as slavery. The actors are donating their services.

"We're really excited to have them," Gaddis said. "It's entertaining and educational, too. A lot of the questions will be put together by our government and U.S. history classes."

The debate is planned for 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at North, 255 Red Gate Road. Admission is $5.

This is the second year North students have organized a Relay for Life, an all-night walking event to raise money for cancer research.

Last year, about 200 students beat their $25,000 fundraising goal of $25,000 by $16,000. "We absolutely blew our goals out of the water," Gaddis said.

This year's North relay is set for May 15 on the football field. Gaddis said it will include live world music and other entertainment, as well as programs to honor cancer victims and survivors.

So far, the school has signed on 334 participants and raised about $8,000.

"(The Relay) really is something our school started because we do feel we have a strong commitment to our community and giving back," Gaddis said. "It's also about the fight against cancer, so we students can say enough is enough."

For details, visit relayforlifestcharles.com.