Recognized for 25 years leading students, Relay for Life
CAYUGA—It was a bittersweet moment as a large group of students, staff, cancer survivors, and OPP members gathered for Cayuga Secondary School’s annual Relay For Life event.
On one hand, there was reason to celebrate as the May 9, 2025 event raised an incredible $43,982 for cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. On the other, this year’s relay marked the last in the long tenure of popular teacher, coach, and mentor Jonathan Mann, set to retire at the end of the current school year.
To celebrate Mann’s commitment to Relay for Life, he received a King Charles III Coronation Medal, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada.
“I feel very honoured to receive this medal and also want to acknowledge that many student leaders (the Swent family in particular) and other staff have supported this cause and my work. In particular, Mrs. Sandra Stewart, now retired, who partnered over many years with Student Council and this project,” said Mann.
CSS Principal Amber Mitchell praised Mann for his decades of commitment: “For over 25 years, Jon Mann has not only taught in the classroom, but also led by example in the truest sense of the word,” she said in a speech prior to the medal presentation.
“Through tireless dedication, Jon has built capacity in generations of students and teachers, some who used to be his students,” continued Mitchell. “Jon, your impact has gone far beyond lesson plans and meetings. You’ve built a culture of compassion, courage, and commitment that will continue to shape this school long after you’ve moved on. Thank you for your vision, your passion, and your unwavering belief in the Relay for Life.”
Mann looked back on his legacy, noting CSS student council first pitched a Relay for Life event after learning about it at a leadership conference.
“The project then became an annual tradition and the student leadership team in my leadership class then took over and ran the event through the class,” he said, noting how many former students have gone on to run their own relays at their post-secondary schools. He recalled some highlights over the years, including “several dramatic dashes into the school carrying tents at 2 a.m. due to thunderstorms.”
The relay sees teams run continuously from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, with members of a team able to take turns resting in their tent between turns on the track. Mann noted how CSS and nearby Dunville Secondary School are some of the few remaining schools in the country to host an overnight relay.
“Relay is a 12-hour team-based event that works to reflect the journey of cancer survivors,” said Mann. “The first lap is led by guest survivors of cancer.”
Participants also took part in several games and themed laps throughout the night, along with a luminary ceremony at 11 p.m. where the names of those lost to or still fighting cancer are written on bag lanterns and released into the sky.
Mann credited McKinnon Park Secondary student Cole Shaddock, who hosted two teams at the rally, as this year’s fundraising hero. Shaddock, whose mother was recently diagnosed with cancer, has become a community focal point for the cause.
“He has raised $10,000,” said Mann.
On top of that impressive number, fundraising for the event is driven by the student committee, who launched this year’s effort with a pep rally in early April and have been promoting the event since.
“The team has worked hard to make this event a success and I am so proud of their work,” said Mann. “The students of CSS are truly committed to the community effort that this event demands.”
Mann summed up his commitment over the years in a speech delivered to a crowd that clearly loved him.
“It’s sort of ironic for me to be celebrated today, because I feel like I’ve been celebrating the last 25 years. Every leadership class, every event, every Relay for Life has been a moment for me to celebrate the power of youth leadership, the power of young people to make really serious things happen. It’s been such a privilege to be part of all those students’ journeys,” he said. “Your commitment today is just that little step forward to make cancer a thing of the past eventually.”
