Relay for Life takes off tomorrow
Organizers frustrated school district won't let them pitch tents on new grass
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Kitty Giles' voice breaks with emotion when she talks about the eighth annual Relay for Life event at Adolfo Camarillo High School this weekend.

For Giles, one of the event's lead organizers, the weekend fund-raiser for cancer research has taken on much deeper meaning since she first participated six years ago.

Since then, Giles has lost six family members to the disease and said each loss creates greater commitment for her to help make the annual event successful.

"I come from a big family," said Giles, who was born and raised in Oxnard. "We have eight children. My sister Rose is gone. I'm helping to make sure that none of my other brothers or sisters go."

Event chair Linda Billings said she hopes to raise $200,000. She said about 50 teams have signed up so far but she expects to have a total of 65.

The teams raise money by collecting sponsorships from family, friends and coworkers. The team members walk the high school track from Saturday at 10 a.m. to Sunday at 10 a.m. The goal is to have at least one member from each team on the track during the entire 24 hours.

The theme of this year's event, "Relay Goes to the Oscars," brings the red carpet and bright lights of Hollywood to Camarillo.

Event organizers said they are frustrated with Oxnard Union High School District officials because they aren't being allowed to pitch team tents on the newly sodded football field.

The decision by the school district, Giles said, was made without much warning and has caused general frustration for her and the planning committee.

"We're really hurt, first of all, that they did it to us so late in our planning," Giles said. "This is one of the best causes that Camarillo is involved in, and we're getting no support from the school district. It's not necessarily Camarillo High, it's not necessarily the principal, it's the school district that's telling us no."

Billings said the district's explanation for denying her request to use the field came via an e-mail from Assistant Superintendent Randy Winton.

Winton said that when the $250,000 sod was installed in mid August the landscape contractor recommended that if the football team played on the field Fri., Sept. 29--which it did--the school should keep "everyone entirely off the field for two weeks after the game."

"However, his recommendation was to stay entirely off the field for 10 full weeks," wrote Winton.

He said that he researched two other schools that had installed new sod on their football fieldsone in Florida, the other in Massachusetts-and learned "both schools kept everyone off the field for 11 weeks."

The wait time, Winton said, allows the grass to establish a solid root system. He added that the event also would hinder the field's watering schedule, which is crucial in the weeks after new sod is laid.

Winton said district officials debated whether or not to allow Camarillo High's football team to play on the field. They agreed, however, to let the team play.

"Using the field for a football game this Friday isn't in the best interest of the long-term health of the ACHS field either, but the field exists primarily for school activities," Winton said.

He said that district officials invited the relay organizers to hold the event at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, but they refused.

Winton added, "the Walk for Life is a most admirable event and we regret that the field is not ready for you to use this year." According to him, Relay for Life will be able to use the field next year.

Regardless, both Giles and Billings expect the fund-raiser to be a special event. They are both especially looking forward to Saturday night when candles will be lit to recognize those who have fallen victim to cancer.

"I tell people to bring Kleenex, and it's an experience you couldn't even comprehend until you've been there," Giles said.

"And once you've been there, especially to our luminary ceremony at nighttime, you'll be back every year."

Teams can sign up during the event, which will include live music and other entertainment.

For information on sponsorship, volunteer jobs or to participate, call Billings at (805) 3891857 or (805) 302-6623.

On the Internet: www.acsevents.org/ relay/ca/ camarillo.