By John Chambless

Staff Writer

 A personal plea from a girl suffering from a recurrence of cancer has sparked everyone at Kennett High School to raise funds for cancer research – one sour shot at a time.

The Lemon Shot Challenge was originated by Bill Barber, a teacher at Garnet Valley Middle School. He is the brother of Kennett High School principal Michael Barber. The challenge, based on the global phenomenon of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, requires participants to take a drink of lemon juice, as well as donate to Alex's Lemonade Stand and nominate other people to do the same. Bill and Kelly's 4-year-old daughter, Brielle, has been battling an aggressive brain tumor which was first detected when she was 2.

On Sept. 22, Kennett High School sent out notices to the press that students would be participating in the Lemon Shot Challenge to raise money for Brielle, who is Michael Barber's niece, as well as all children suffering from brain cancer. The challenge began on Sept. 22 and ran through Sept. 26, with students being able to take the challenge during the school's lunch periods and make a $1 donation.

On Friday at noon, junior Tyler Lacosta, a member of the Student Council, was at a table in the lunch room, ready to take donations.

"We've gotten well over $100 each day that we've done it,” he said. “Some people walk by and say, 'Here's $10. Just donate that. I don't need to do the challenge.'"

Lacosta said he took a lemon shot himself. "It's sour," he said with a grin. "You take it at first and it's like, 'This is all right. It tastes like lemonade.' And then the sour hits you. Some people actually like the taste, and some people really, really hate it."

He said students have been daring each other to take the lemon shots, and the table has been a source of lunchtime entertainment for a week.

On Sept. 29, it was announced that Kennett High School's fundraiser had netted just over $1,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

 

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail [email protected].