BUCHANAN — “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”

The phrase is one of the most famous quotes of 2004 drama comedy “Mean Girls.”

Last week, Buchanan Middle School took the line and made it rallying cry.

Last Wednesday, Oct. 16, staff and students donned pink apparel to raise awareness of breast cancer. It was a part of a week’s worth of spirit events celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Media assistant Trinity Young was a participant. She wore a pink wig Tuesday — students dyed their hair pink or wore pink hats that day — then handed it off to interventionist Jim Brohman to wear Wednesday.

Pink bandanas and bracelets were sold in the school, and their proceeds will be given to a cancer organization or someone affected by the disease. More than $100 were raised.

Despite the emphasis on pink, breast cancer’s symbolic color, throughout the week, Young said the spirit days helped students realize the impact all forms of cancer can have and that a community of Buchanan Bucks is there to support those affected.

“Nowadays, everyone has someone they know that has breast cancer, either fighting it or has passed on it from,” she said. “It’s important for our students to know it’s not just her family or my family, but it could be that student’s family as well.”

On Thursday, people wore purchased pink bandanas. On Friday, people wore maroon, white and pink clothing, a blend of school colors and cancer color support. On Monday, everyone’s pinky fingers were painted pink, a sign of unification for the fight against the disease, Young said.

“It’s important that we don’t just make all our theme weeks about Homecoming or Winterfest,” she said. “We really need our kids to know about all the issues they can deal with day-to-day.”

A giving spirit enlivened by school spirit allowed Buchanan High School’s student council to raise $1,000 for a classmate fighting cancer two weeks prior.

During Homecoming week, the student council hosted a Powderpuff game, collecting donations from the players and audience members.

“We use it to not only promote school, but also the desire in life in our community to stay driven to take care of each other,” said Jessica Elliott, student council advisor, about school spirit.

Buchanan Middle School’s breast cancer awareness events and the Buchanan High School Student Council’s yearly acts of giving are not new to the district. Last year, the council raised money for two students facing challenging personal hardships.

“In Buchanan, our teachers and our students are very passionate about this community, and they’re passionate about people that are in this community,” Elliott said. “Our mascot is the Buck, but as a whole, we consider our students and our staff to be one herd. We want to make sure we take care of our people, and we want them to know that they don’t have to fight these battles alone.”

While donations to Buchanan’s student council are still being accepted, the next big cancer-related event will be at Buchanan Middle School. In May, the school will host a weeklong cancer awareness week, expanding past pink hues into a full rainbow of support.