National Breast Cancer Month is celebrated all across America every October, with millions of people coming together at organized races and fundraisers to honor friends and family who have been diagnosed with the world’s most prevalent disease. However, Dominion’s celebration of breast cancer survivors, which has thus far included celebrations at football games, and the introduction of themed apparel into the school store, will continue on into December with the Dig Pink Volleyball Tournament.

The tournament, which will take place at 3:00 p.m. on December 7^th in the main gym, was organized by Simone Ghobadi, Mirabell Ochoa-Hainzl, and Joey Pavich. The three Dominion sophomores came up with the idea to satisfy a DECA project requirement, but it has ballooned in size far past their greatest hopes. “We’re going to have 15-20 teams participate, with 6-8 players each,” says Pavich.  And, at $5 per player, the trio is looking at raising a sizeable sum.

All money raised, whether it be through player fees, admission price ($5 to watch), and snacks sold, will be sent to the Side-Out foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients through volleyball fundraisers. “The Dig Pink DECA team’s goal is to raise $3,000 through the event,” Ghobadi says. “We’ll be selling baked goods, meals, and collecting donations.”

The event will be segmented into two different tournaments: one co-ed and one with boys-only teams playing girls-only teams. “We segregated by gender for some categories in order to create excitement for the players. Additionally, at first we had the girls vs. girls category for girls who felt uncomfortable playing against boys and for other religious purposes,” Ghobadi said. “However, there wasn’t enough interest, so we got rid of it.”

Students interested in signing up for the tournament can do so in room 305, where sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board by the door. “We would love your support and donations,” Pavich said. “It’s for a good cause.”