Palombi Middle School shows power of pink

Palombi Middle School in Lake Villa was all decked out in pink Friday as students and staff held their annual Pink Out and Breast Cancer Awareness Walk event.

Some 950 students and staff dressed in pink and stood together to form the word HOPE in the school's parking lot, followed by a walk.

Members of the community have made donations to the students to help with cancer research. The event began as a remembrance of a staff member Mary Jo Bailey, who lost her battle with breast cancer four years ago.

“It means a lot,” said George Bailey, Mary Jo's husband.

George Bailey said Palombi School has been like family.

“Especially when Mary Jo was going through all the cancer treatments. Everyone here was so wonderful, it's hard to put it into words,” he said.

Palombi Middle School raised about $1,000 last year and expects this year's event will raise a similar amount.

All the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.