The noise. It’s deafening. Screaming, battle painted teenagers vibrating bleachers and eardrums. Coaches yelling plays. Players eyeing down their matchups. An infectious energy fills the stadium that can’t be described; it can only be felt.

High school football is capable of uniting a student body like none other. But today it’s about more than football.

As a part of their #FightOn campaign, the Washington Redskins partnered with many high schools in the DMV area in order to spread breast cancer awareness. McLean is one of those schools, and today, Oct. 16, is “Pink Day,” a day in which all students are challenged to wear as much pink as they can in order to promote breast cancer awareness and research. Students will also be “pinking out” for tonight’s varsity football game against Yorktown at 7 p.m.

But for many Highlanders, staff and students alike, this day has a personal effect. Cara Mosley, STEM Engineering, Robotics and Research & Development teacher, lost a dear friend to breast cancer in high school.

This day is also special to junior Will Boinest.

“My grandmother had cancer, and unfortunately passed away before I could meet her, so when I wear pink I think of her,” Boinest said. “These spirit days provide a way for every class to put away their differences and stand behind something.”

More than anyone, the individuals whose lives have been so directly altered by cancer understand the significance of this day.

“[It] provides a fun way to promote breast cancer research and awareness,” Mosley said.

So if you’re going to be in the sea of pink tonight, cheering your heart out for our Highlanders football squad, remember why you put that pink face paint on.