On Friday, November 19th, the Academies hosted the sixth annual Concert for a Cure. In attendance were students of all ages, from second and third graders to seniors, along with their parents and numerous faculty members; the chapel filled continuously throughout the evening following the event’s start at 6 pm. Many of the performers have played at the fundraiser for several years in a row, including the Faculty Band and the Museum Guards. Host Jake Lahut engaged the audience in-between performances, which lasted anywhere from three to fifteen minutes. There was a mix of bands, which varied from “classic soft rock covers” to “modern rock.” There were also several singers, including Ellory Smith who performed Norah Jones’s “Don’t Know Why,” Emily Downie and Aly Selchick who sang a piece by Avril Lavigne, and Sarah Gannon, who sang while playing her ukulele.


Perhaps even better than the live music itself, however, was the knowledge that the event was being held for such a worthy cause. Since January 2006, the Concert for a Cure has been hosted in the name of former Academy student Sol Kahn ’06. Though admission to the Concert was free, donations of any amount were accepted and proceeds went to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year, the event raised over $3000, adding to the near $40,000 that it has raised over the past six years.


Halfway through the first act of the Concert, Sol’s father gave a moving speech, expressing his thanks to our community and demonstrating his commitment to the cause. His words reminded us of how much the event benefits the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as the comfort such fundraising provides to survivors. In the midst of the season of giving, the Concert for a Cure gave us a wonderful opportunity to give to those who need it the most, and it is vital that the Academies continue its tradition of raising money for such a noble cause.