On Friday, May 15, during the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) Division II State Championship Track Meet hosted by Ravenscroft School, Ravenscroft’s Crucial Catch initiative was recognized as the 2026 Community Champions Spring Winner by the NCISAA and Farm Bureau Insurance of North Carolina.

The recognition highlights the program’s sustained commitment to cancer awareness, student leadership, and meaningful community impact through a longstanding Ravenscroft tradition. As student Co-President Thomas Russell ’27 shared, “The 2026 Champions Spring Award means a lot to Ravenscroft and our team because it shows the hard work and teamwork of everybody involved to raise awareness and help those affected by cancer. Our team is honored to receive this award and happy to make a positive impact in our community.”

The Ravenscroft Crucial Catch team has received the Pink Cleat Award for one of the nation’s highest fundraising teams for nine consecutive years, raising more than $500,000 to support early cancer screening and detection efforts, particularly in underserved communities.

The recognition reflects years of dedication and support from Ravenscroft students, families, faculty, and the broader community, as well as ongoing collaboration with Richard Averitte, Executive Director of the American Cancer Society of Eastern and Central North Carolina, and Ashley Wickline, Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society and direct liaison to Ravenscroft students. Farm Bureau Insurance of North Carolina presented the honor through the NCISAA Community Champions program.

For student Co-President Sam Hollingshead ’27, the mission behind Crucial Catch is deeply personal. “Everyone on our team has been impacted by cancer in some way, whether through family, friends, or personal experiences. That’s why Crucial Catch means so much more to our community than simply raising money for a good cause,” he said. He went on to reflect on his family’s experience, sharing, “Nearly 10 years ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer after going years without being screened. In contrast, my aunt’s colon cancer was caught through early screening, allowing doctors to begin treatment immediately. Both are doing great, and their experiences showed me first hand the importance of early detection and access to screenings.”

Ravenscroft’s 2025 Crucial Catch event brought the school community together through a campus-wide pink-out game day experience in early September that included a well-attended tailgate, awareness moments throughout the game, and recognition of individuals and families impacted by cancer. “Crucial Catch has become such an important tradition at Ravenscroft because cancer touches all of us in some way, and that shared connection is what truly unites our community around this initiative,” Hollingshead said.

Crucial Catch is a national cancer awareness initiative that uses sports as a platform to raise awareness, promote early detection, support cancer research, and honor those affected by cancer. Ravenscroft’s program has earned national recognition not only for its fundraising success, but also for its student-led structure.

Student-athletes take an active role in planning, promoting, and executing the event each year, creating meaningful leadership opportunities while strengthening service, empathy, and community engagement throughout the school.

The initiative was led by student Co-Presidents Sam Hollingshead ’27 and Thomas Russell ’27 along with Vice President Caison Wright ’27.

The Community Champions program was created to recognize NCISAA member schools, teams, and individuals who make a positive impact both on and off the field through leadership, service, and community involvement.