The Lawrence County Relay for Life is putting on a competition between Lawrence County schools for its upcoming event in May.

Relay for Life is an event designed to raise funds for and awareness of cancer. The Lawrence County chapter has challenged the local schools to get involved through the School Spirit competition.

“The school challenge is something I put together to inspire the kids to be more involved,” said RFL specialist Lachona Ferguson. “The goal is to raise more funds as well as awareness in their school and their family. It is so very important that we raise awareness just as much as we raise funds for prevention, early detection and early treatment if need be. So I think it is crucial we involve kids as much as possible.”

Participating schools will host mini-relay events where the students will be able to devise their own unique field day-style fundraiser. The school that raises the most money will be awarded with the School Spirit Challenge Trophy at the main relay event on May 17 at the county fairgrounds.

“The students will have the freedom to come up with their own ways of raising money,” Ferguson said. “How the challenge will work is the school that raises the most money per student ratio will be awarded the School Spirit Challenge trophy.”

So far Collins Career Center, Symmes Valley High School and Fairland Middle and High schools have agreed to participate in the challenge. CCC and Symmes Valley have scheduled their mini-relay events for 8:30 a.m. to the end of the school day May 9 and May 13, respectively.