‘Shield Your Skin’ heightens melanoma awareness at Bob Jones

Writers’ Studio students Aaditya Madhwesh, from left, Alyssa Kennedy and Tayler Reece work on the “Shield Your Skin” campaign. (PHOTO/ SADIE TURNER)

MADISON – Landon Shultz and Writers’ Studio classmates have launched the “Shield Your Skin” campaign to promote precautions for avoiding melanoma, or skin cancer.

“We lost an English teacher at Bob Jones High School to melanoma this year,” Shultz said, “and, with upcoming Relay for Life events, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bring this message to the masses.”

Melanoma “is one of the most frequent cancers for teens and young adults. It’s also one of the few cancers that can easily be prevented. It can be deadly if isn’t caught early,” Shultz said.

Shield Your Skin coincides with Melanoma Awareness Month.

To prevent skin cancer, individuals can re-apply sunblock, wear good sunglasses and hats and limit time in the sun. “Honestly, we’ll consider this a success if we can just keep a few people from going to the tanning bed,” Shultz said.

The Bob Jones students have produced a marketing campaign with a public service announcement, website (bjhsskincancer.wordpress.com), YouTube video and accounts on Facebook, Instagram and other social media.

Shultz hopes for 100 followers on his Twitter account, @ShieldYourSkin_. “We tried to use all avenues available,” Shultz said.

On May 10, Shield Your Skin will culminate with a “loose change drive” when school dismisses. In the parking lots, students will “panhandle for your spare change,” he said.

Madison residents are encouraged to donate, too. “If everyone donates just a little spare change, we can make a sizeable donation,” Shultz said. Proceeds will go to Relay for Life teams from Bob Jones, led by media specialist Cindy Huskey.

Taught by Brandy Panagos, the Writers’ Studio class has produced Shield Your Skin. “This project is THEIR work, not mine. They did all of this in one week” with film and video editing, WordPress and social media, Shultz said. Student leaders are Morgan Turbiner, Jade Chambers and Kristie Martins.

The Shield Your Skin campaign has been “chaotic because of the timeframe, but it felt good to see it all come together so quickly,” Shultz said.