Proving that the summer months aren’t just for the beach, Declan Cooper ’18 will attend a student leadership academy hosted by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) for Childhood Cancer.

Cooper was one of 60 students to be selected for the leadership academy. The academy’s objective is “to ensure student achieve an understanding of leadership, develop key leadership skills, and know and understand how to implement these skills to better their role with ALSF, their communities, and the world.”

While volunteering for this program would be admirable under any circumstance, Cooper will do his work in memory of his CBA brother, Jack Scherer, who passed away this winter after a courageous battle with cancer.

However, Cooper isn’t volunteering because Jack was his best friend. Cooper did not know Jack personally- they didn’t share any classes, participate in any of the same clubs or play any of the same sports.

Cooper felt a connection with Jack through the sense of brotherhood that CBA fosters among its students, demonstrating the tagline “Brothers Forever” isn’t just for t-shirts.

Cooper’s leadership academy will be held in late July at Villanova University. The CBA community commends Cooper on his commitment to honoring Jack’s memory.

The mission of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer is “to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes—especially research into new treatments and cures—and to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer.”

Visit their website at www.AlexsLemonade.org.