b'26 CONCORD HOSPITAL TRUSTLearningTRADITIONSTeams Christa McAuliffe& Thornton CentralSince its inception in 2003, the PaysonIt is a highlight for the students as theHOPE Center. In February, CMS will be Center for Cancer CaresRockNend-of-year community service projectrecognized at the Concord Hospital Racehas raised more than $5 millionfor this group, Harrington says. A lot ofTrust Captains Breakfast as a Rock Star to fund the Payson Centers HOPEthe students who have participated inteam for topping the $3,000 mark.Resource Center. The annual eventthe RockN Racecontinue to participateWhat made the CMS teams effort not only provides the financial meansas they get older. It is something thateven more special this past year to offer programs and services toreally stays with them. was that the fundraising was done cancer patients and their families,It feels good to know that yourein honor of kindergarten teacher but it has become an inspirationalhelping other people, says SydneyChristine Holliday-Rowe, who has been community-building experience forDekutoski, 14, an eighth graderundergoing cancer treatment at the countless participants, among themat TCS, who belongs to NJHS.Payson Center. Holliday-Rowe, says local schoolchildren. Its just inspiring. Pelletier, has been a rock star in her Shannon Harrington, a middle schoolHarrington has a personal connectionown right, continuing her teaching and literacy teacher at K-8 Thorntonto the Payson Center through hermeeting all of her commitments at the Central School (TCS) in Thornton, Newmother, Cheryl Noonan, who died inschool throughout her care.Hampshire, has been involved in theJune after a battle with cancer. TheShes an amazing human and is one RockN Racesince 2016 as the advisoropportunity to have her treatmentof the grittiest and toughest people I to Thorntons National Junior Honorlocally, explains Harrington, who grewknow, Pelletier says of his colleague. Society (NJHS). Overall, the school hasup in Concord, made a big difference inShe shows up every day to work, been active in the event for more thanher mothers quality of life. despite the immense amount of things a decade. Last year, Harringtons teamgoing on in her life.of 12 students raised nearly $700 forSince 2013, a year after Christa McAuliffe HOPE, while learning valuable lessonsSchool (CMS) in Concord opened itsLike Harrington, both Pelletier and Fox about helping others. doors, the K-5 elementary school hasrecognize the community-building sponsored a RockN Race team. Foropportunities that accompany RockN many years, that team was led byRace participationthe buzz around third grade teacher Bonnie Larochelle.the building as the event draws closer, When Larochelle retired a few yearsthe excitement over the T-shirts that ago, parent Nicole Fox and fifth gradebear the school name. At CMS, a group teacher Mike Pelletier stepped in to continue the tradition. The 2022 Christa McAuliffe team featured 101 participants and raised $3,085 for the'