By: NYSPHSAA Staff
(LATHAM, NY) - The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announces Smithtown Central Schools’ Relay for Life Club as the winner of Spring 2025 NYSPHSAA Community Service Challenge. The club’s culminating event was selected by the NYSPHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for its outstanding impact and student engagement. Schools across the state submitted their initiatives through the Team Up 4 Community platform, which NYSPHSAA uses to highlight community service initiatives.
The club, combined with students from Smithtown East and West, took months to plan the 2025 Relay For Life event. Held at Smithtown High School West, the team-based fundraiser is one supported beyond high school halls and into Smithtown’s community. Each team developed a plan to take turns walking the track for 12 hours straight, raising more money with increased participation. Additional donations were made through food sales and supplemental activities provided during the evening. All proceeds from the event were donated to the American Cancer Society.
“The hard work and dedication from the members of our Event Leadership Team, which consists of all student-athletes, to put our event together has been remarkable,” said Relay for Life Advisor, Dillon Archer. “To watch it all come together, be a great success, and now be recognized is the best part of being their advisor and teacher. I am so proud!”
Twelve hours of fundraising starts with hundreds of hours of preparation time. Students involved in the planning committee meet twice a month starting at the beginning of the school year, dedicating their time and energy to organizing every detail of the culminating June event. As the date approaches, the meeting frequency increases to once a week in April. On the day of the event, students arrive hours early, spending up to three hours setting up before the first walkers begin their laps around the Smithtown High School West track.
“As student-athletes, we take pride in using our platform, through sports games and events, to raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against cancer,” said student-athlete and Event Leadership Team member Isabella Paliwoda. “Planning this 24-hour event takes months of hard work, but with the help of our team captains, our amazing advisor Mr. Archer, the entire ELT board, and our subcommittee members, the process becomes so much more manageable. Seeing the impact we’ve made and now being recognized for it, is something we’ll never forget.”
At the end of the event this June, $86,660 was raised to fund cancer research and support those in need during their time battling the disease. This accumulates to over $400,000 raised by the club since its conception.
“The remarkable dedication shown by the student-athletes of Smithtown Central Schools' Relay For Life Club is nothing short of inspiring,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Robert Zayas. “Their determination and compassion reflect the very best of NYSPHSAA’s student-athletes, proving that with heart and purpose, anything is possible.”
During the Spring 2025 Community Service Challenge, a total of 203 service projects were submitted, engaging more than 11,600 student-athletes across New York State. Collectively, participants contributed over 82,700 volunteer hours and helped raise an impressive $341,490 for charitable causes.
To date, the 2024–25 school year stands as the most successful on record for student-athlete involvement in community service. A total of 613 service projects were submitted, with student-athletes contributing more than 200,000 volunteer hours and raising an impressive $743,325 for charitable causes statewide.
The 2025-2026 Community Service Challenge will launch with the start of the fall sports season. Schools interested in submitting their initiatives or learning more about the Team Up 4 Community platform can find additional information here.