Athletes from Española and Los Alamos high schools joined together April 11-12 at Overlook Park in White Rock to fight for a future where the world is cancer free. Photo by Kate Cleveland
Española and Los Alamos high school athletes joined together April 11-12 and took time to read about the individuals each were playing for and then played for the cure. Photo by Kate Cleveland
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos
The weekend of April 11-12 Play for the Cure, as many enjoyed time off with family and friends taking in the spring weather, some local young ladies were demonstrating true leadership in “Play for the Cure”. White Rock Overlook Park hosted Española Valley High School (EVHS) and Los Alamos High School (LAHS) for a softball game to heal hearts and contribute toward a cure for cancer.
LAHS Coach Cameron Dreher grew up in Stonington, Conn., where she learned a valuable lesson she still carries to this day.
“My high school coach, Ann-Marie Houle, launched a high school softball Play for the Cure game to honor those in our community impacted by cancer,” Dreher said. “That game is entering its 16th season. This year, the Los Alamos High School coaching staff knew that we wanted to start new traditions that would be staples of the Los Alamos High School softball program, and Play for the Cure was at the top of our list.”
When Los Alamos brought the idea of hosting a game for the cure, Española was up for the challenge.
“We are grateful to have partnered with them to establish this meaningful tradition,” Española’s Coach Kourtnie Polanco said. “We truly value the strong relationship we have built with them. Cameron was an amazing leader and made sure that we brought this vision to life and ensured it was a success for everyone.”
What is most apparent is that both teams have incredible role models on and off the field. When wonderful adults empower our youth, anything can happen. EVHS brought 13 players, and LAHS, with 12 players, were each supported by family and friends. Players from both teams worked together to prepare the field decor before the start of the game, which required an early morning wake-up call and a large amount of teamwork on both sides. LAHS Head Coach Katie Cardon even painted the famous “White Rock” with her family the night before the game.
“EVHS Softball isn’t just a group of players, but a genuine community,” Polanco said. “The kind where people show up for each other, celebrate the small wins, and pick each other up after tough losses. That kind of environment doesn’t just happen; it’s built through trust, shared effort, and a lot of good energy.
The LAHS softball team is made up of outstanding players who are even better people. The student-athletes embraced that Play for the Cure was about more than just softball,” Dreher said. “They made sure to take time before and during the game to honor their loved ones, lift each other up, and bring awareness to a cause. They’re a truly special group of girls, and I feel honored to know and coach each of them.”
The joint feeling from the coaches of both teams is that they rallied around a cause that touches many lives and shows a level of awareness and compassion. It was said that if you showed up to the field two hours before the game, you would have no idea that two teams were about to compete in a district doubleheader. The EVHS and LAHS players worked together to decorate the fields, took time to read about the individuals each other were playing for, and joined together to fight for a future where the world is cancer free.
They’re not just playing a sport, they are using their voices and energy to stand for something bigger than themselves,” Polanco said.
Each team picked a form of cancer to raise awareness for, which became the colors of their uniforms. LAHS wore blue to honor those impacted by colon cancer, and EVHS wore gray to honor those impacted by brain cancer.
“We have raised $2,343 for the American Cancer Society thus far,” Coach Dreher said. “The JV teams will also participate in a Play for the Cure game on April 21, 2026, and donations of any amount are still welcome.”
Coach Polanco and the EVHS coaching staff were quick to say not just yes, but yes to starting a new tradition among the teams. EVHS was referred to as the most collaborative and supportive partners, which ensured the inaugural game was a success.
“Kourtnie and her coaching staff have built an incredible program, and we are honored to work with them in all of the years to come,” Dreher said. “As we seek to use softball as a way to bring awareness to a cause that impacts us all.”
Ironically, neither coach mentioned who won or lost the game. The truth is that the answer really didn’t matter. They all demonstrated a winning mirror to which we can aspire to reflect, a culture of caring in a time when kindness matters, and a superior attitude that should make their families, their schools, and New Mexico proud to know them.
More individuals, which Española and Los Alamos high school athletes played for a cure April 11-12 at Overlook Park. Photo by Kate Cleveland
LAHS Head Coach Katie Cardon painted the ‘White Rock rock’ with her family the night before the game. Photo by Kate Cleveland