Special to the Chronicle

A Dutch Fork High School student has raised over $17,000 for cancer research.

Team “Lily’s Leaders for a Cure,” led by Lily Schoolmeester of Dutch Fork High School was named the first Midlands, South Carolina Student of the Year for her efforts.

An estimated 174,250 people in the US were expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2018.

This year the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) held its inaugural Students of the Year campaign, raising $50,000.

“I have had several family members that have lost their battle to cancer, and because of this, I have embraced the Students of the Year opportunity. Not only to help raise funds for this amazing organization, but to bring awareness to childhood cancers and blood cancers everywhere,” said Schoolmeester.

13 high school students, competed in this year’s competition. 8 of those students attend high schools in School District 5 including: Madison Gass, Lauren Dodds, Mary Grace Loughman (Team “Make-A-Change”, Spring Hill High School), Lily Schoolmeester (Team “Lily’s Leaders for a Cure”, Dutch Fork High School), Hanna Cargill, Cora Conant, Drew Johnson (Team “Shine for a Cure”, Spring Hill High School), and Aleigh Tis-dale (Team “GotCUREage”, Chapin High School).

In addition to the top fundraising award, 1st and 2nd runner up was recognized for their commitment to the LLS Mission as well.

The 2nd runner up award went to Team “GotCUREage” led by Aleigh Tisdale of Chapin High School.

For more information, visit www.studentsoftheyear.org/ or contact Amanda Keisler at 803-496-8700 and amanda.keisler@lls.org .