Hauppauge Honors Late Student With Kicks For Cancer

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The stands of Hauppauge High School's turf field were a sea of pink as the entire school community came out in support of the 17th annual Kicks for Cancer event on Oct. 18, the school district announced. The event raised around $50,000 in memory of a late student.

Kicks for Cancer began as a way to honor and support a Hauppauge High School student, Courtney Tomkin, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 17. The summer after Courtney was diagnosed, Hauppauge High School’s girls varsity soccer goalkeeper, Alexis Gonzalez, went to her coach, Jesseca Kulesa, asking how the team could put something together to help Courtney and her family. From that conversation, Kicks for Cancer was born.

Under the Friday night lights, the Hauppauge High School turf field roared with thunderous applause as the girls and boys varsity soccer teams took to the field wearing special pink uniforms.

The boys team played Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School and the girls team competed against Comsewogue High School. Both Hauppauge teams took home the win with the boys team leading 3-0 and the girls team leading 4-0.

Food trucks and tents filled with homemade gift items, food, and Kicks for Cancer gear lined the field. Supporters were able to enjoy several activities before and during the soccer games, including bounce houses and raffle prizes.

The proceeds of the event went toward research and finding a cure in Courtney’s memory.