From left to right are Jessica Lipponen, head coach Dawne Morrone, Hannah Frank and Elizabeth Bohley of the University of Pennsylvania equestrian team at the October 10, 2015 Zone 3, Region 5 Alumni-hosted show in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

"HATS OFF TO CANCER" AT ZONE 3 ZONES: HATS NEEDED

Dawne Morrone has been an IHSA Head Coach since the 1990's. At first Morrone coached Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and during that time her daughter Danielle was a top-ten Cacchione rider for the Broncs at 2002 IHSA Nationals. For much of the 2K decade Dawne also concurrently coached the University of Pennsylvania, which she does to this very day.

2015 was not a kind year to Dawne. Her husband John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was in ill health. Though Dawn remained optimistic, John passed away on December 27th.

As sad news often travels fast, one of many to learn of John's passing soon after was Betsy Vogt. A Delaware Valley College graduate, Vogt has been involved with both IHSA Zone 3, Region 2 and (since 2010) Zone 3, Region 5. The "Go-To" person for points and show information (not to mention the many times her horse Boo has been used in shows), Vogt decided something needed to be done to promote cancer awareness.

A few weeks later Vogt was in touch with not only the rest of Region 5 but the other four regions within Zone 3. In conjuction with Cancer Support Groups of Philadelphia, Vogt stated there will be a "Hat Collection" at Zone 3 Zones on Sunday, April 10th to help those receiving chemotherapy treatments. Though the concept of a "Hats off to cancer" campaign was Vogt's, an e-mail sent out to the other four regions was written by Villanova University assistant coach Bryan Bradley, who is also the Zone 3, Region 5 Region President.

"Any hat - ball cap, ski, winter, summer, adult, kids will be collected," said Bradley in an e-mail circulated throughout the zone. "The hat collection is a challenge from Region 5 to the other 4 Regions to see who can collect the most hats. Your participation is greatly appreciated and strongly encouraged."

At the time the e-mail also stated that "A representative from the Cancer Support Group of Philadelphia will be in attendance at the Zone 3 Finals Show on April 10 (at the Dream Park Equestrian Center in Logan Township, New Jersey - Editor) to collect the hats." This may still be the case, but so many have expressed a desire to bring various hats from great distances that they are instead being donated to the American Cancer Society. Anyone who attends the April 10 show is welcome to bring a hat for the donation.

Bradley concluded the e-mail by saying "Let's show that the IHSA in Zone 3 gives back to the community in a big way!" If the hat drive is a success hopefully it will not only spur other horse organizations to organize similar drives but also keep many being treated for various cancers warm. And perhaps eventually all this will lead to cures for pancreatic and other forms of cancer which strike down a criminally large number of people every day.