For over 30 years, Pam Walton played a valuable role for the Montgomery City and Wellsville communities as she worked as a music teacher for both Wellsville-Middletown and Montgomery County schools.

On Dec. 19, Walton shared a message of hope and encouragement for the residents of both communities who are fighting cancer during the annual Pink Out doubleheader that was held at Montgomery County High School’s Ballew & Snell Court.

Walton was the guest speaker between the girls and boys games at the 15th annual Pink Out event. During her 13-minute speech, she discussed her journey of having stage zero breast cancer she was diagnosed with seven years ago.

“It’s a lot different than getting up there singing and playing in the band,” Walton said.

Walton spoke in front of a large crowd at Ballew & Snell Court, which included her son, Seth, who is a senior with the MCHS boys basketball team  Seth was 10 years old when his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

“I’m going to say Amen to her and I’m happy she’s still here with us,” said Lyric Kemp, a member of the MCHS boys basketball team. “I understand people go through rough times in life.”

The Pink Out doubleheader has raised thousands of dollars to help promote cancer awareness since it first began in 2012. This year’s event raised $7,722, which included money from concessions, rally towels and donations. The check was presented at halftime of the boys contest.

All proceeds go to the Helen Reagan Cancer Fund, which is named in honor of the Montgomery County resident who lost her battle with cancer. For the last five years, the Pink Out doubleheader raised $38,800, including a record $9,713 in 2023.

“All money raised will remain in Montgomery County and help community members from each of our schools battle this terrible disease,” R-II assistant superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Schluss said.

The Pink Out event was sponsored by the MCHS Student Council. Two of the members, Taylor River and Khloe Kribbs, spoke after the girls game.

“On this night every year, it’s our goal to spread hope,” said River, who is the group’s president.

Walton taught music at the W-M School District from 1993-2004 before being hired to head the music department at the R-II schools for the next 20 years. She retired after the 2023-2024 school year.

Walton was diagnosed with cancer on Jan. 23, 2018, just after a month she went for a mammogram. During her speech, she talked about the importance of having a mammogram.

“Mammograms are not a very pleasant experience, but I encourage women aged 40 and older to do them regularly,” Walton said.

The retired music teacher also shared some information about breast cancer.

“In the United States alone, 757-860 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day,” Walton said. “In 2025, 316,950 new cases will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One of eight women will develop basic breast cancer at some point of their life. This all comes down to every two minutes, a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Walton is now cancer free. She said she got support from plenty of people in the Montgomery County community during her journey with cancer.

“My family, as always, was there when I needed them, not only my biological family, but my church family,” Walton said. “As soon as they found out I had cancer, they started praying for me immediately.”

For the fourth year in a row, MCHS completed the sweep in the Pink Out doubleheader. The Wildcats won 53-9 in the girls game and 91-11 in the boys contest. Both teams received Traveling Trophies.

Walton said it’s nice to have an event that has two schools in the Montgomery County area playing for a good cause. 

“We come together to watch two schools, two teams fight for the county trophy,” Walton said. “But most importantly, we’re watching those same two schools and teams fight together for the cause of defeating cancer.”