In awareness and recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Allentown High School (AHS) annually hosts a “Pink Out” where staff and students wear pink.
This year, the Pink Out was bigger than ever.
AHS Principal Connie DeNicola Embley said, “Almost the entire staff was dressed in pink and a majority of students. I would estimate about 2/3 of the students and about 95% of the staff.”
The Upper Freehold Regional School District (UFRSD) recently lost Lauren Mitchell, a beloved teacher and member of the UFRSD family to breast cancer.
“Most of the staff had purchased pink t-shirts from the girls soccer fundraiser and Lauren Mitchell’s initial were on the ribbon,” Embley said.
Mitchell was a teacher at AHS for almost three decades. She was a special lady who affected so many lives and will be missed by staff and students alike.
“It was very meaningful to see the high school come together to remember a loved teacher and to join the fight against breast cancer,” Embley said.
“Lauren Mitchell taught Special Education here for 29 years. Her father was also a teacher here for over 30 years. I worked with Lauren for 15 years. Lauren was always available to help students in need or help academically students who needed that extra help or that special learning environment. Lauren was also the advisor to the National Honor Society for many, many years. Lauren served as a social chairperson for the Teacher’s Association for many years,” Embley said.
UFRSD staff walked on behalf of Lauren Mitchell at the Race for the Cure event at Six Flags earlier in October.
“I was very proud to walk this year in the Race For The Cure. There was a group of about 15 teachers walking in our group UFRSD CARES. We walked in memory of Lauren. It was a great experience,” she said.
