A sea of pink covered the normally red and white Lake Highlands gym Friday night during the volleyball game with Skyline. Whoever said pink is not a fighting color was proven wrong as LH prevailed, 25-15, 25-13, 25-8.
And together, decked out in pink, the Lake Highlands community rose up and stood firm against cancer.
The centerpiece for the Pink Out was a sophomore, Emily Obenhaus, who recently was diagnosed with melanoma. Obenhaus played on the freshman volleyball team last year, but because of her condition and need for treatment she had to end her playing career. “I wanted to play so bad this year,” Obenhaus said, “It makes me sad that I can’t.”
Obenhaus still contributes to the team by keeping the stats and coordinating the video. But the inspiration that Obenhaus gives to the team is unmatched.
The Lake Highlands volleyball team tried Friday night to match it, though. Together with sponsors they raised more than $4,500 in donations to cancer research. “She has been our inspiration,” senior captain Rachel Peters said, “And because it hits so close to home we felt the urge to help.”
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Obenhaus said she was speechless at what was taking place in front of her. Her eyes looked around, soaking everything in, as she tried to describe how she was feeling.
“I never expected anything from these people,” Obenhaus said, “I’m honored; they have been so kind to me.”
Obenhaus’ entire family was at the game, watching her being honored by the Lake Highlands community.
“We had a lot of support from the community on the issue of Emily,” Obenhaus’ father said, “We had to take a couple of deep breaths and take it one day at a time.”
Cancer treatment for Obenhaus will continue and the road ahead for her is still rocky. Obenhaus, though, says her view on life has not changed after being diagonoised with cancer.
“I believe everyone has a purpose in life, I have to try and figure out why this happened to me.”
