Students and faculty members across Texarkana Independent School District banded together Friday, declaring the day “Pink Out” in support of breast cancer.

“I was shocked at the amount of people who wore pink,” student body secretary John David Goins said. “I thought that it showed a lot of school spirit, and I was happy that the student body participated in something that brought us together for a common cause.”

Superintendent Paul Norton presented a check for $12,005, representing the amount raised by 600 TISD faculty members participating in the race on Oct. 20, to DeAnn Goins, Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure chairman, and Patsy Morriss, board of director for the Texarkana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen and breast cancer survivor.

“It’s such a great way for the community to come together,” Norton said. “It’s a cause that everyone can get behind. It impacts everybody. It’s a great way to raise funds to get rid of cancer.”

Athletic director Barry Norton presented another check for $3,250 that included the proceeds from ticket sales to the football scrimmage against Pleasant Grove in August. Also, on hand for the presentation were Dr. Sandra Austin, Angel LeGrand and officer Bonita Stevens, TISD breast cancer survivors.

“It is for a good cause. Who doesn’t know someone who has breast cancer?” DeAnn Goins said. “Seventy-five percent of this money stays in our community and 25 percent goes to research, so we are excited for anyone who helps us eradicate breast cancer. Our hope is that one day our children and grandchildren will never have to know the disease.”