These shoes were made for walking

SPARTA — The hair was teased, and the leg warmers were looking good as local teenagers geared up for an '80s-themed dance to support the American Cancer Society. The dance was held on May 14, at Sparta Methodist Church in anticipation of an upcoming Relay for Life event. Classic jams, including the infamous Thriller Dance, had the Dream Team moving. They raised $300 for the cause. The Dream Team, a Relay for Life cancer walk team, made up of 21 Sparta high school seniors, is a group created by Erica Roberts and Jackie Conlan in an effort to involve more teens in the universal goal of fighting cancer. Relay for Life is an overnight event is designed to celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams such as Sparta High School’s Dream Team gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking, or running laps throughout the night to symbolize the never ending fight of cancer. So far this year, the team has raised $1,011. However, they hope to reach their goal of $2,500 by the time the Relay for Life walk comes on June 10, starting at 4 p.m. at Lenape Valley Regional High School. The Dream Team had a face painting table at Sparta Day to raise additional donations. “Over the years cancer has affected people I love, and I realized how important the cause I was fighting for was,” said Jackie Conlan. To make a donation to the Dream Team or create your own team visit: http://www.cancer.org/Involved/Participate/RelayForLife/index.