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Hollywood Spends
24 Hours Devoted To Life
On May 22, 2010, over 17 faculty, staff and students from The Art Institute of California–Hollywood came together
for 24 hours at the Studio City/North Hollywood Relay for Life, a walk-a-thon supporting cancer research and
awareness through the American Cancer Society. Through donations, dedication and service, participants were
rewarded with something larger than time and blisters.
Teams of people camped out at the Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood and took turns walking or
running around the track for a 24-hour period. Throughout that time, each team was challenged to have at least one
member on the track at all times. Special events were scheduled throughout the relay with an opening ceremony, a
survivor’s lap, a luminaria ceremony, movies, meals and entertainment. Included within the schedule were educational
events and activities designed to build cancer awareness, promote preventive measures and provide resources and
services for victims and their families.
Each team decorated their campsite with a theme and had the ability to advertise products or services to raise funds. Campsites were
inspirational; participants could indulge in sweets, fruit, toys, manicures, nutrition and health services, or even stop at a general store as
they walked around the track. The Art Institute of California–Hollywood team wore Hawaiian-themed custom shirts and lounged at a
campsite reminiscent of a California beach party. There were flower leis, palm trees, raffia curtains, tiki lanterns and pup tents everywhere.
Over $3,000 was raised by the school team. Participants were challenged with raising a minimum of $100 each through sponsorships and
fund-raising. The team, known as “The Art Institute in Action,” held bake sales, denim days and sold luau goodies at their island oasis
tent during the relay itself. In the end, the team came in third for their fund-raising efforts, taking home the bronze award.
The Art Institute of California–Hollywood team met hundreds of others in the Studio City/North Hollywood community during the
event. Teams from other local schools and colleges attended, including Pierce College, Oakwood School and California State University,
Northridge. Community organizations such as the Universal City/North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scout troops, local
churches and local city council were all represented.
Groups walked together, sharing stories about how cancer had affected them through family, friends and personal experiences. Some
members even participated in the cancer survivor lap of the event. Cancer knows no bounds, and no matter how one came to be at The
Art Institute of California–Hollywood, this team came together for just this common thread.
The Art Institute of California–Hollywood “Art Institute in Action” Team consisted of the following participants:
Christopher Atkins, Sarah Carlson, Lily Carlson, Shaquanta Downs, Alyssa Duncan, Sahag Gureghian, Ryan Jones, Liz Kok, Deborah Lowe, Michael Luna,
Deisy Martinez, Carolyn Mitchell, Rochanda Mitchell-Iverson, Heather Simmons Combs, Joshua Vasquez, Maxwell White and Christina Winterhalter.