The White Out game between Dallastown and Suburban raised over $9100. Suburban won 25-18, 25-16, 25-21. Photo credit – volleyball parent.
The White Out tradition began five years ago, starting honor of Clark Fisher, an avid volleyball player and coach, who lost his battle with lung cancer November 12, 2009. This year’s White Out was held in memory of Colleen Paules and Henry Schaefer.
Paules, a Suburban parent, lost her battle with stage four melanoma December 19, 2013. Schaefer, who unexpectedly passed away January 26, 2014, was a middle school math teacher and Assistant Athletic Director, as well as a former coach of basketball for Dallastown’s middle and high school.
Wednesday, April 9, the volleyball team became directly affected. Sophomore Paul Um had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Um announced to the team that the White Out would be his last game of the season. Sophomore Ian Firestone said, “This made us want to win even more.”
Thursday morning, players, coaches, and managers returned their White Out shirts and jerseys to Susquehanna Apparel for a rush-print job to have ‘6’ printed on their left sleeve to honour Um. This, however, was kept secret from Um until the group rolled down their sleeves for the photo pictured above. Um said “I was surprised that they organized all of the team to change the shirts and without my notice. It really helped me see how the team would support me for the times ahead.”
Um played for both JV and Varsity Thursday night and his smile remained, on and off court. Um said “It was the last time I’ll be able to play volleyball with that team. It’s never going to be the same. It’s like the last candy in the bag that you savor right until you go buy another.” As the final point was scored and the team flooded the floor, Um was raised into the air.
Sophomore Mikala McBride said, “The White Out game means a chance to help families and those affected by cancer in some way, no matter how small it may be. Every ounce of support contributed in some way, whether it be money or emotional support. Helping people just gives you a good feeling!”
McBride and Firestone are also in Um’s grade and close friends. McBride said “[Paul’s announcement] only intensified my desire to help! I’ve known Paul forever and it’s crazy to think about someone so close to me going through this. He’s strong though, he’s become an inspiration with how he’s handling this situation. I’m incredibly proud of him and only hope I can deal with it in a similar manner if I’m ever forced into the same position.”
Senior Jacob Kauffman led the team with fourteen kills, six digs, four aces, two assists, and one block. Senior Ryan Bury had seven kills, one block, one dig; sophomore Matt Hogg had six kills; senior Lars Dalemar had four kills, two blocks, seven digs, twenty-one assists; sophomore Josh Teague had eighteen digs. Suburban won 25-18, 25-16, 25-21.