The First Baptist Christian School's K-12 cheerleading squad helped assist 12th grader Rosie McMullen with a fundraiser for Cheer for a Cure, a national organization that raises money for breast cancer research. The squad sold pink T-shirts to members of the community to raise more than $600.

The cheerleading squad at First Baptist Christian School raised more than $600 for breast cancer research during a fundraiser Jan. 22.

The event was led by senior student Rosie McMullen, who had the idea in the summer of 2015. As the captain of the cheerleading team, she thought it would be a good way to give back and honor the two teachers at the school who have had breast cancer.

“I thought this would be a great way to honor them,” she said. “They even taught while they were sick, and we wanted to show that we appreciated it.”

The fundraiser featured a shootout competition during halftime at the basketball game against a team of home-schooled students from Slippery Rock at the St. Fidelis parish gym.

Pink T-shirts were sold for $10, with the profits going to Cheer for a Cure, a national organization that raises money for breast cancer research. The shirts were created by Peggy Sarvey of Meridian.

In addition to raising money for breast cancer research, Rosie believes the fundraiser was a great learning opportunity for the younger girls on the squad because First Baptist’s squad has students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

By Monday, the cheerleading squad had raised $640 and is still selling shirts, Rosie said.