Cannon Students Rev Up for Pediatric Cancer Awareness

As part of their senior Capstone project, Cannon students are using their talents and passions to make a meaningful difference in the community. The Capstone project challenges seniors to reflect on their most powerful learning experiences and community connections, and then use that reflection to create a project that gives back to others.  

This year, seniors Cannon Leatherman ‘25, Henry Anthony ‘25, John Kroll ‘25, and James Fisher ’25 are channeling their love for cars into a worthy cause with their “Cars for a Cause” event, a fundraising initiative aimed at raising both awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. 

Event Details: 

• Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025 
• Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
• Location: Cannon School 
• Purpose: Raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, with all proceeds benefiting Levine Children’s Hospital. 
• Additional Info: A food truck will be on-site for attendees to enjoy. 

The event will feature a variety of unique vehicles on display, allowing students, families, and community members to come together, appreciate some incredible cars, and support an important cause. The day will be filled with opportunities to learn more about pediatric cancer, and attendees will have a chance to make donations that will directly benefit those fighting this disease. 

The inspiration behind the event comes from a shared personal connection to cancer. The group of seniors behind the project has each been impacted by the disease, whether through family members or close friends. With a strong bond over their mutual love for cars, they decided to bring together these two passions—automobiles and philanthropy—into a project that could give back to the community. 

As Cannon Leatherman explains, "We’re a group of four guys, and each of us has been deeply impacted by cancer. Whether through family members or close friends, we’ve all experienced how hard it can be. We share a love for cars, so it just felt right to bring those two things together—our passion and a cause that really matters to us." 

The team chose to host a Cars and Coffee-style event because it’s a laid-back, low-pressure format that naturally draws a diverse crowd. Cars and Coffee events are well known for bringing people from all walks of life together to appreciate unique vehicles in a relaxed setting, and the students hope to use this atmosphere to raise awareness about pediatric cancer in a way that feels both welcoming and natural. The event is designed to be accessible to everyone—car enthusiasts and casual attendees alike—while also educating them about the important cause at hand. 

The students are hopeful that attendees will leave feeling more connected to the cause and the community. "If attendees can walk away knowing more about pediatric cancer and how they can help, whether through donations or just spreading awareness, then we’ll feel like we accomplished what we set out to do," says Cannon. 

The “Cars for a Cause” event has also been an important learning experience for the students involved. As part of their Capstone project, they’ve had to coordinate with local businesses, car collectors, and community members to bring their vision to life. This has provided them with valuable skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enjoy the car scene, sip some coffee, and support an important cause. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 29th from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Cannon School, view event details here, and see how passion for cars and a commitment to a good cause can make a real difference.