On Paint It Gold night, Valley Park School District proved once again that some of the most meaningful learning doesn’t happen at a desk. It happens when students step up, take the lead and bring an entire community together for something bigger than a game.
Paint It Gold was more than a themed basketball night. It was a student-led event built around heart, purpose and hope, shining a light on childhood cancer awareness while showing what it means to live out our district vision: One Community, One Campus, Limitless Learning.
From the planning to the energy in the gym, this night reflected student leadership in action. Students weren’t just participants. They helped create an experience that welcomed families, staff and community members into a moment of support and celebration. That kind of initiative builds skills students carry far beyond high school, like confidence, communication, teamwork and responsibility. It’s real-world learning that sticks because it matters.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening was recognizing Sofia Belén Onofre Cruz, an eight-year-old childhood cancer survivor whose story continues to inspire hope. At the age of six, Sofia was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and spent a year at St. Louis Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment. After six unsuccessful treatment attempts, a seventh option became available at the end of 2024 and it was successful. Today, Sofia is healthy, back in school and her journey continues to give hope to other children and families through bone marrow research.
The Valley Park community also celebrated Jack Patterson, a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and outstanding Valley Park High School student. Jack first began experiencing symptoms in July 2024 and was officially diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on September 16, 2024. After months of courage, strength and determination, Jack officially beat cancer on February 10, 2025. Today, Jack is known for his positivity and kindness and he is truly appreciated by his classmates and our entire school community.
For Jack, the night was a reminder of how much support can mean. He shared, “I felt amazing and felt a part of the team.” Moments like that are what Paint It Gold is all about: belonging, encouragement and a community coming together with purpose.
Paint It Gold night was a reminder that Valley Park is more than a school district. It’s a community that shows up for its students and for each other. Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, $1,200 was raised for the American Cancer Society, supporting research, resources and hope for families impacted by cancer.
Events like Paint It Gold teach lessons that can’t always be measured on a test. Students learn how to lead, how to serve, how to honor others and how to build something meaningful alongside the people around them. That’s what One Community looks like, and on this night, it looked pretty incredible in gold.
Check out the photos and video by clicking the photo below: