Fernandina Beach High School hosts Jeannie Blaylock of First Coast News

FBHS CNA Students with Jeannie BlaylockFernandina Beach High School

Rob Hicks of Fernandina Beach High School

Fernandina Beach High School hosted Jeannie Blaylock of First Coast News

on Tuesday as part of the 20th anniversary of Buddy Check 12. The entire

school participated in the event. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

class organized the event. Students had the opportunity to sign up for a

special lunch in the library and were encouraged to invite their mothers.

The lunch was prepared by the FBHS Culinary arts department and paid for

by the FBHS Business Partners.

Senior Emmanuel Brown presents a check to Buddy Check 12 from
Teens for Change

Several clubs at FBHS got in on the act as the FBHS Senior Men served the

lunch and Teens for Change made breast cancer awareness ribbons and sold

pink carnations. Mrs. Blaylock and several CNA students spoke to the

student body. The cheerleaders have been raising money at recent football

games and wore special pink uniforms for the event. They lead the

cafeteria in a Buddy Check 12 Cheer as students participated in a

"push-ups for breast cancer awareness" competition. Most of the student

body and staff wore pink for the occasion.

FBHS students, parents, and breast cancer survivors enjoy a
breast cancer awareness luncheon

Before Blaylock left, FBHS presented her with $1000 raised to support Buddy Check 12 and breast cancer research. Senior Blair Bean who

helped organize the event said, "I though the everything was really neat.

It was cool to get the whole school involved in this event. It was the

first time we've done something like this." Senior Paige Markwell also

helped organize the event. She added, "We were really surprised at how

many people participated. It started as something that was really just for

seniors but it really took off and the whole school got involved."

FBHS Cheerleaders lead a Buddy Check 12 cheer in the cafeteria

Blaylock spoke to the student body about the importance of breast exams  and how reminding others to do the same can save a life. She gave the

school Buddy Check 12 stickers and picture frames and posed for

photographs with some of the break cancer survivors in attendance. The CNA

students think the event made on impression on the student body and hope

to see it become and annual event. "I talked to a lot of people today who

I don't think had thought much about breast cancer before, but hopefully

they will now. I hope the school keeps doing something like this after we

graduate," Bean said.

October 2, 2012 8:07 p.m.