Academy’s most favorite event, Spike and Splash, took place last Tuesday night, on October 3rd. Spike and Splash, hosted by Golden Girls, the AHN spirit club, is an event to help raise money for breast cancer, where our swim, dive and volleyball teams play at the same time. In recent years, the swim and dive team have competed against our rival, Plant, while the volleyball team has played against Tampa Catholic during the Spike and Splash event. The tradition of Spike and Splash has been going on for many years, a welcome event for many Academy students and our wider community all over Florida.
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To celebrate our teams and to raise awareness for breast cancer, all of the students who attend wear pink. Not only can students wear the Spike and Splash shirt, but many come dressed in pink paints, tutus, headbands, and other accessories. This event gives students in all grades an opportunity to come together and bond over their school. As the volleyball team served, received, and spiked at the opposing team, crowds of Academy students went crazy with happiness and continued to cheer on the team. With the wave of pink in the stands, Academy was able to pull out 2 wins. The varsity team won against Tampa Catholic, winning 3 of the 4 sets, and our swim and dive also beat Plant.
Ava O’Brien (’24) says, “I look forward to Spike and Splash every year but this year was special because not only was last year canceled due to the hurricane, but this is my last one.” Not only do the students love it but the teachers do as well. “I love seeing my students not just in the classroom but playing their sports and watching them cheer on their classmates.” says Sofia Curry, one of the high school Theology teachers.
We are entering the month of Pink October. The pink ribbon is the international representation of the fight against Breast Cancer. Wearing it shows your support for research, it shows your desire to participate in the dissemination of a strong message. Please repost ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/hg3z2ctVBK
— Alex Bonoh (@AlexBoNohShMa) October 1, 2023
Spike and Splash has been a tradition for sixteen years now and each year we’ve come together to help raise awareness for cancer. Through food sales, t-shirt sales, and entry fee, the event over the years raised close to $100,000. While the event started in recognition of former AHN head swimming coach Mara Schultz’s battle against breast cancer, more recently, the fight against pediatric cancer was brought to the forefront as our own student-athlete, Cailin Cannella, who was in eighth grade at the time, bravely fought her battle with osteosarcoma. Spike and Splash is now held annually in memory of Mara and Cailin and in honor of all of those in our community who have been impacted by the many forms of cancer.
