OHS grad needs help to win $7,500 for cancer society

An Oxford woman needs everyone’s help in order to win $7,500 for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
From now until March 19, folks can visit www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com and vote for Samantha Bryant, a 2007 graduate of Oxford High School.
‘I just really love giving back,? she said. ‘I’ve been involved in alternative spring breaks and Habitat for Humanity. I have a passion for caring for others. This was just another opportunity for me to give back.?
Bryant, 22, is a contestant in Maurices Main Street Model Search 2012.
Maurices is an American clothing retail chain based in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 1931, the chain has more than 750 stores in 44 states.
The model search is Maurices? effort to find 12 young ladies, in all sizes, to represent the chain in the upcoming fall, holiday and spring advertising campaigns. In addition to winning money for the charity of their choice, each winner will receive a $1,500 gift card to Maurices.
Nearly 1,500 women nationwide entered this year’s competition and of those, 70 are from Michigan.
In order to continue on the road to possibly becoming one of the 12 winners, Bryant must first make the cut as part of the top 100, which will be announced March 20.
Those who wish to support Bryant in achieving her goal can register at www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com and vote once every 24 hours from now until the March 19 deadline. Voting ends at 12 noon Mountain Standard Time.
The ACS is a cause near and dear to Bryant’s heart because her grandfather, Gerry Bryant, died from stage 4 lung cancer at the age of 60.
She’s currently interning with the American Cancer Society as she pursues her bachelor’s degree in health science at Saginaw Valley State University. She’ll graduate in May and wishes to pursue a master’s degree in public health.
‘I’m very interested in nonprofit groups,? Bryant noted. ?(ACS is) a great organization and it’s very community-based. Everybody can participate.?
Bryant first became familiar with ACS when Oxford began hosting its own annual Relay for Life event years ago.
‘The whole town seemed to come together to raise funds and offer support,? she wrote in a personal essay for the contest. ‘The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life enabled me to honor (my grandfather) and celebrate his life.?
Bryant hopes everyone reading this story will vote for her ? and keeping voting for her ? so she can help fund the fight against this dread disease.
‘Everybody is affected by cancer these days,? she said. ‘Whatever we can do, even the smallest thing, to help prevent cancer and find a cure is great.?