A little over 12 years ago, four Destrehan High School faculty members were diagnosed with cancer – that inspired the school’s P.E. faculty to start an annual step aerobics night for cancer awareness.
One of those who had been diagnosed was Paula Sanchez, a DHS custodian, who successfully battled breast cancer. But recently, Sanchez learned her cancer returned and her fight is once again ongoing.
Thus, this year’s step aerobics night will not only be aimed at spreading cancer awareness, but also toward honoring Sanchez for her positive impact at Destrehan and providing a lift in her battle.
The event will take place Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Destrehan High gym and its theme is “Give Cancer the Boot.”
“We started this as an outreach for our students to give back to the community and spread awareness,” said Lynette Matthews, a teacher and track and field coach at Destrehan who was among those originating the event. “Three of the four who were diagnosed were in my department, and all four were diagnosed around the same time.”
Sanchez has worked at Destrehan for 20 years – in every way, she’s part of the Wildcat family.
“She’s basically the mother of Destrehan High School,” Matthews said. “She takes care of pretty much everybody, faculty and students included, with anything they need. She’s just a phenomenal person.
“We have a teacher’s lounge that she furnished herself with all the amenities. You’d think you were in a 5-star hotel with everything she’s supplied for the teachers. And every quarter she puts on a teacher’s luncheon and usually it’s out of her pocket – she treats us like royalty. She loves to just sit and watch people enjoy what she’s prepared for them. And it’s just phenomenal. And then as far as students, she’s purchased P.E. uniforms for them, school uniforms.”
And she’s always got snacks at the ready.
“They come in and ask, ‘Oh, Ms. Paula, do you have any snacks? And she has a whole snack cabinet – if you’re hungry, she’s got something for you,” Matthews said. “Just an amazing person.”
Matthews said the event is free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend – no sign-up is required.
“We’re just going to display some things that we do in our physical education department as it relates to step aerobics, just basically encouraging healthy lifestyles as a prevention of cancer and also as an aid in the treatment as well,” Matthews said. “Because the healthier you are, it helps you through that treatment just a little bit better.”
T-Shirts are made for the theme of each event and this year they are being sold to raise funds to help Sanchez offset some of her medical expenses.
Group and class routines will be showcased and there will be a guest speaker and presentation. There will also be a poetry reading toward the night’s theme. And in the event’s tradition, the night will conclude with a balloon release celebrating cancer survivors, supporting those battling now and remembering loved ones lost.
“Students are going to be performing their various routines that they learned in the class and that they kind of self-choreographed,” said Matthews. “And we’re going to allow those in the audience to join in on any of those routines if they feel like they can keep up. We’ll show them how to do it and then they can engage in it. It’s going to be a fun atmosphere.”
