Pink Out Raises Money For Neligh-Oakdale Graduate, AMH

It was a pink out Tuesday at Neligh-Oakdale, but not your ordinary pink out as this was about more than breast cancer awareness. It was also about helping a Neligh-Oakdale alumna who is battling breast cancer. 

Brie Schrader Epke is a 1998 graduate of Neligh-Oakdale and is currently fighting breast cancer. Proceeds from this week’s FCCLA and volleyball events will be split between her and Antelope Memorial Hospital. 

Kelsey Green, Neligh-Oakdale senior and FCCLA president, said it was important to her for the organizations to help both causes.

"Many people don't know it's really hard for the person and the family, and the treatment is really expensive," she said. "So we believe it's important to help them out, especially since they are from our community. We need to come together and help them out when they need it." 
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Epke’s mother, Mary Schrader, serves as elementary principal at Neligh-Oakdale and said the support by the community has been overwhelming. 

"We are so grateful to everybody. The kids activities, organizations here at school, the volleyball, National Honor Society, FCCLA have come forward to try and raise money and just the whole community - the people in general," she said. "It makes a very difficult time so much easier knowing how many people really care and send their prayers and good wishes. It's overwhelming."

With Epke's diagnosis and her strong connection to Neligh-Oakdale, breast cancer is hitting close to home for students.

"I know the family; they're a block away from me. They're practically neighbors, so I feel it's my obligation to help out," said FCCLA officer Kasi Grosserode.

The Warriors suffered two losses on the night. The Lady Warriors picked up the first set against Palmer 25-23, but dropped the second two sets 20-25, 14-25. 

Against Spaulding Academy, the Lady Warriors lost both sets with the same score of 19-25. 

Although the Warriors lost both matches Tuesday night, the pink crowd kept smiling throughout the night. Neligh-Oakdale will continue raising money for breast cancer awareness and for Brie Schrader Epke on Thursday when the Warriors host Clearwater-Orchard for a volleyball and football double header.