Virginia Beach, Va. - NewsChannel 3 and Ynot Italian are honoring students who are taking action to make a difference in their schools and communities.
We headed to Princess Anne Middle School in Virginia Beach to surprise 12-year-old Chase Anthony.
His science teacher, Lyndsay Hamby, emailed NewsChannel 3 to nominate Chase. She says he has an amazing outlook on life.
Chase formed the group Chase-ing 4 A Cure to honor Laurie Dreelin, his third grade teacher at Strawbridge Elementary School.
She lost her battle to breast cancer in December 2012.
“She was just a great teacher, and she always knew how to fight with breast cancer and she always knew how to come in with a smile on her face,” Chase said. “If a challenge is there, you just got to know how to fight it. You can’t just sit there and do nothing about it."
So Chase decided to do something.
Since then, Chase and his crew, which he calls the Pink Posse, have been raising money for the Tidewater affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
“For my 10th birthday, instead of getting presents I got donations to go to Susan G. Komen,” Chase said. “We do car washes, lemonade stands, we also have done a yard sale.”
And they participate in the Race for the Cure.
To date, the Pink Posse has raised more than $15,000.
“I just think that's what you're supposed to do, give back to your community and help people,” Chase said.
Chase received a Students Taking Action medal, a $100 savings bond, a gift card for a family dinner at Ynot Italian and a pizza party for Ms. Hamby’s science class.
“This is awesome!” Chase said.
"He's just a really extraordinary child. This is all him. He takes it upon himself to do this. I couldn't be prouder of him,” said Mark Anthony, Chase’s dad.
“It's overwhelming sometimes because he's an amazing kid. But it's who he is. I'm just along for the ride,” said Rachael Anthony, Chase’s mom.
Chase is hosting a dodgeball tournament to raise money for Susan G. Komen Tidewater on May 21 at Princess Anne Middle School. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.
For more information on Chase-ing 4 A cure, click here or check out the group’s Facebook page here.
