Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

She may be a seasoned participant of Relay for Life now, but Lindsay Watson remembers the days when she first began getting involved with the event.

ìIn seventh and eighth grade, I kind of watched,î explained Watson.

Since then, the 2005 Forest Lake High School graduate has taken more of a leadership role. In ninth grade, Watson joined her motherís relay team and in tenth grade, she developed her own.

ìNow, Iíve been team captain for three years,î Watson announced.

This year, she is expanding her endeavors. She is organizing a ìKidsí Cornerî for Forest Lakeís Relay for Life, which will be held Aug. 5-6 at the high school.

ìItís kind of like kids helping kids,î described Watson of the idea.

She has stayed active through the years in Relay for Life and her goal for the Kidsí Corner is to get other youth excited about the event as well. The area will include various games and activities, including face painting, and donated prizes will be given away as well.

ìHopefully, it will get them more involved,î Watson said.

Along with providing entertaining options at the relay, she also wishes to convey the message that teens can take an active role in the cause.

ìKids need to know that they are just as important in helping the fight against cancer,î stressed Watson.

On a personal level, Watson is quite passionate about Relay for Life and its goal.

ìIíve seen the effects (cancer) has on people,î she explained, ìI personally want to do anything and everything I can.î

Starting her own all-youth Relay for Life team through Faith Lutheran Church gave Watson the opportunity to elaborate on her desire and get other teens involved too.

Prior to that, Watson said she didnít see many of her peers involved in the relay.

ìI just noticed that there werenít a lot of kids there on teams,î she described.

Over the years, changing that image has been a top priority for Watson. Recruiting team members and planning fundraising activities have been key tasks.

ìI dedicate my summer to it,î she said.

She intends on continuing that tradition as well. Watson plans on attending the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in the fall and organizing her Relay for Life team again once the semester is done in the spring.

Watson also intends on expanding her recruiting efforts too. In the past, her team generally consisted of teens between the ages of 15 to 18 and her hopes include attracting younger youth as well.

ìHopefully, next year weíll try to get some younger kids,î noted Watson.

She describes Relay for Life as a roller coaster of emotions, but stresses the importance of youth getting involved.

ìThroughout the night we laugh, cry and get very tired, but our purpose for being at the relay is not only to be there for anyone who has been touched by cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society, but to also be role models for children of all ages,î explained Watson.

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