Placerita Junior High School students held a fundraiser throughout the month of October to raise funds for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center.

During the month of October, which was also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, students reached their goal for the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center in Valencia.

The fundraiser began after Kathryn Spula, the school’s music director, noticed that the center had a wall honoring those who have donated $1,500 or more to their cause.

“This year, I thought, ‘Why don’t we do something special here?’” Spula said.

As a breast cancer survivor, Spula thought that raising money for the breast center would be a fitting event for her students to take part in during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It’s great to see that they’ve stepped up,” said Spula. “We’ve enjoyed the whole process of raising this money for our area breast center.”

Spula and her students had set a goal to raise $1,500 by the end of October, and by the 31st they were able to reach their goal.

“I have been pleased, proud and amazed,” said Spula. “I’m so impressed by the teamwork that all of my students in the band, choir and orchestra put forward.”

The students presented the money they raised to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital officials in a ceremony on Monday.

“I am so touched to have all of these kids together,” said Terry Bucknall, director of Women’s Imaging Services at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “They are amazing.”

The Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center works to help treat people with breast cancer for little to no cost for their patients, according to Bucknall.

“Our hospital thrives on philanthropy and to see it start this young really is awesome,” said Marlee Lauffer, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. “We’re so proud to be part of a community that gives back and these kids demonstrated it here today.”

The entire process, from raising the funds until they presented the money at Monday’s ceremony, has given Spula — who has been employed by Placerita Junior High since 1986 — hope for the future of the school’s youth.

“I just want Santa Clarita to know that they should be proud of the young future seats of our society,” Spula said. “I can already hear, experience and see that there are many leaders that we have seated with us today, and I think there is going to be some great things to say about the youth.”

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