The goLEAD leadership classes raised more than any other Cobb high school.
The goLEAD team at Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) is proud to announce that it has raised a remarkable $129,185 during its participation in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual Student Visionaries of the Year fundraising campaign. This represents a school record for the seven-week fundraising competition and the most money raised by a Cobb County high school during the competitive portion of the campaign. The team was led by students Ava Whitney, Blair Young, and Cade Saldi. Alongside their passionate and driven classmates, the team members aimed to not only meet, but also exceed their fundraising goals to support the LLS mission of curing blood cancers and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
This year’s campaign was especially unique due to the personal stories of the students involved. One of the co-chairs, Cade Saldi, had surgery in March of 2024 after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few months prior. Another co-chair, Blair Young, watched at 13 years old as her father beat intestinal cancer. The final co-chair, Ava Whitney, had a close family friend pass from cancer, and her mom battled breast cancer. These personal connections fueled the team’s passion and drive throughout the campaign. Many other members of the team brought their own experiences, faith, and perseverance to the forefront, creating an impactful and deeply moving campaign. These students worked tirelessly, from meeting with influential business leaders to coordinating school events in order to raise funds and awareness. Along the way, their teamwork, leadership, and dedication were evident, making them stand out among the 36 teams in the Atlanta area.
Cade Saldi shared, “This campaign was about more than just raising money; it was about making a real difference and inspiring others to do the same. It’s difficult to put into words what this campaign means to me — it’s about hope, faith, and the belief that we can truly make an impact.”
For teammate Bennett Schwab, the fundraiser represented “being part of something bigger than ourselves.” For others, like Gabrielle Brookin and Lucas Harper, the experience taught them how to step out of their comfort zones and use their own vulnerability to help others.
Emory Abernathy, another MPCS teammate, gained a deep appreciation for the effort it takes to organize a major event, expressing her gratitude for the experience. Teammates Eli Williams and Alayna Hamilton discovered that hard work and small victories really do add up. Sydney Ojibway, another teammate, emphasized, “It was really the teamwork that helped us reach our goal. We all had to work together for the success of the project.”
The goLEAD students raised funds through various creative events, including a pickleball tournament, a dress-down day, specialty coffee shop drinks at the school’s student-run cafe, and personal outreach efforts to friends, family, and local businesses. “The team naturally focused efforts on the MPCS community, but also went much broader than that — we reached out to people across the country, including old friends, business contacts, and even grandparent networks,” said Misty Saldi, Cade’s mother. “We wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to support LLS’s mission to serve families facing a cancer diagnosis.” Through this experience, the students gained valuable leadership skills, grew in their ability to speak confidently in public, and learned the importance of working together as a team.
MPCS was awarded the prestigious Patient Support Pillar Award for its outstanding contributions, and out of 36 teams, only 11 raised more than $100,000 — more than any other Cobb County high school during the seven-week competition. The campaign’s internal goal was initially
$70,000, with a stretch goal of $90,000, which was far surpassed. The team’s efforts were celebrated at the Grand Finale, where the team members were recognized for their exceptional dedication and impact. Additionally, MPCS earned the IMPACT Award, acknowledging the extraordinary efforts to support the LLS mission.
The goLEAD program at MPCS, created by Head of High School Jason Beard and supported by Dr. Nikki Hamilton, is dedicated to developing young leaders by helping students engage in
real-world challenges. Each year, the program selects students through a competitive application process, giving them opportunities to grow as leaders while making a meaningful impact on their community. Dr. Hamilton said the students were extraordinary — “they have set a new standard for MPCS fundraising, and it will be hard to beat.”
The campaign has not only exceeded its fundraising goals but has also cultivated a legacy of leadership, teamwork, and faith that will resonate with the students for years to come. When asked how their view on leadership has changed since the start of this fundraiser, the MPCS students have an entirely different view on what a leader should look like. In their eyes, they now see leaders as servants, working together with a team to be part of something bigger than themselves. The success of this year’s team is a testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and the unwavering belief that together, they can make a lasting difference in the fight against cancer.
For more information about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and how to support their mission, please visit https://www.lls.org/. MPCS’s team is still able to accept donations to support LLS’s mission and contributions can be made at https://events.lls.org/ga/svoyatlanta25/thopeforhe
