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Rookie team in Relay for Life wins coveted award.

More than 2,000 Florida International University (FIU) students, faculty, staff, friends, and family members participated on 47 teams in the second annual FIU Relay for Life, an all-night walkathon that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Their combined efforts raised more than $60,000. Among the hard-walking participants: members of the FIU Accounting Association (FIU-AA) and the Finance Honor Society (FHS), part of the Financial Management Association (FMA).

Current FIU-AA president Ana B. Garcia and Stefano Boulos

And though this was the first-time FIU-AA got involved, they captured one of the most important prizes—the Spirit Award.

“The award is based on how many times you attended meetings, how much you raised, and how much spirit you showed during the event,” said Daniela Jolodosky, secretary of both FIU-AA and FHS. “We were rookies and just tried to do our best.”

Relay for Life co-captain Yanicel Caceres and FIU-AA member Gema Martinez

FIU-AA had raised money starting in January. The organization sponsored a bake sale, sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts on campus, and established a web site so people could make online donations. That netted approximately $1,300. In total, FIU-AA raised about $1,700.

“We cheered people on,” said Jolodoksy, one of FIU-AA’s co-captains, along with Krystel Ramos and Yanicel Caceres. “It’s a long night and we did what we could to keep people energized. In addition to our committee and eBoard, about thirty out of our forty members stopped by during the night to help out for awhile in our booth or on the track of the Football Stadium. Each team had to try to have at least one member on the field walking at all times.”

Even though it was a long night, Jolodosky was delighted with the results.

“As an organization, we want to help the community as much as possible,” she said. “This was a great way to do something for a good cause.”

FHS’s “High Rollers” team hosted a poker table and card games and provided pizza, chips, drinks, and music.

The event drew recognition from the highest levels of the university when it was featured as a headline story in the university president’s weekly newsletter the week of April 9, 2006.

“I salute everyone who laced up their sneakers and participated in the Second Annual FIU Relay for Life,” said President Modesto Maidique. “You make me proud to be a member of the FIU community.”