Number of Participants: 60
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $8,350
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Activity: Volleyball
School: Great Neck North High School
Date: December 4, 2025
Location:
John L Miller North High School
Polo Road, Great Neck
NY
About:
In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the North High School girls volleyball teams continued their annual tradition of hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser to honor a breast cancer warrior who is either living cancer-free or currently in the fight. This year’s event, held on Oct. 16, was particularly meaningful as the boys volleyball teams joined in for the first time to support the cause.
This year, the North High volleyball teams honored Robyn, a close friend of North High art teacher Christine Hakanjin, who continues to courageously battle breast cancer. In preparation for the event, both boys and girls teams came together to decorate the gyms, collect food donations to sell, and create themed raffle baskets with contributions from local businesses and families. The girls varsity team also designed custom T-shirts to promote awareness, which were proudly worn by players, staff, and families on the day of the game.
The school community embraced the event with enthusiasm. Students and staff filled the halls in pink, purchased raffle tickets, and cheered on the teams throughout the evening. Before the varsity game, seniors Juliana Levy, Audrey Kim, and Leah Heimowitz shared remarks about what hosting this event has meant to them and the entire team.
Through the combined efforts of all participants, the volleyball programs surpassed last year’s fundraising goal and raised over $2,400 to benefit the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition and the Side-Out Foundation. Each year, the game’s honoree selects organizations that played a meaningful role in their cancer journey. Players were able to meet with Robyn via Zoom prior to the event to hear her story and learn how the selected organizations help patients and survivors.
“The teamwork, the decorations, and the shared purpose all came together to create a night to remember. One that perfectly reflects our goal of strengthening school spirit and enhancing the tremendous culture here at North High,” said Blazers athletic director Jamie San Filippo. “While the results on the court may not have gone our way, our student-athletes and community truly won in every other way.”
The North High volleyball program extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who donated, volunteered, attended the games, and helped make this year’s fundraiser an unforgettable celebration of strength and support. The Blazers volleyball coaches are Jen Nastri, girls varsity; Alyssa Boll, girls junior varsity; Kevin Parker, boys varsity; and Tom Mangan, boys junior varsity.
