October, 2024

Every October, a group of high school boys clad in neon pink speedos gather by the pool of Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Giant posters on the walls display pink ribbons and motivational slogans. As my school’s water polo captain, I lead my team to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s advocacy for cancer patients every year. The poolside atmosphere is filled with excitement as we swim lap after lap, the waves echoing our shared goal: to support breast cancer research and raise awareness.

 
As team captain, part of my responsibility is to build camaraderie and strengthen cohesion by organizing team dinners and community building activities. However, organizing this event had its own challenges. Like many boys, our team members carried an idea of traditional masculinity that led to many of my teammates initially refusing to wear pink. Because part of my role is to problem-solve and foster harmony within the group, I patiently listened to concerns and engaged team members in dialogue, explaining why the foundation chose the color pink and the significance of the pink ribbon. Additionally, I invited a seasoned event organizer who has followed the Komen Foundation for many years to share his journey from discomfort to pride in wearing pink, ultimately changing the group’s mindset.

 
Some team members were focused solely on winning competitions, overlooking the relationship between sports and charitable activities. Through conversation, I helped them see that while athletic achievements are limited by one’s capabilities, the charitable impact of sports can influence multitudes. This is exemplified by the Komen Foundation’s promotion of physical activities, such as walking, hiking, running, and cycling that have allowed it to become the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

 
Throughout my four years as lead organizer for this fundraiser, I learned that the foundation of leadership resides in encouraging unity through open conversation, rather than merely directing and managing. This experience has refined my leadership abilities and profoundly enhanced my appreciation for teamwork and the intrinsic value of each individual.