I've been to CIAC headquarters in Cheshire countless times. Usually the luncheon with coaches and captains of the high school football finalists is what brings me to 30 Realty Drive. This morning it was the announcement of a partnership to raise awareness and increase fundraising efforts in the fight against cancer between UConn coach Geno Auriemma's "Geno's Cancer Team" and the Connecticut Association of Schools.

There were no lack of big names in attendance including Auriemma, former Branford High coach and long-time tournament director of the CIAC girls' basketball state tournament, ex-Shelton High girls' basketball coach Howie Gura, former Notre Dame )West Haven) athletic director Joe Tonelli were just some of the big names. But it was a pair of third graders from Ryerson Elementary School in Madison who stole the show.

Brendan Clark's comments that if not for Ryerson's "Pennies for Patient" program, his brother, who has leukemia, "would not be here right now" touched everybody in the room.

Fellow Ryerson third grader Sarah Sammataro also spoke to the assembled folks - or tried to. Sarah, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003, was overcome with emotion and her intended comments were cut a little short. But the vision of her walking over and resting her head on her mother's shoulder was a heartwarming moment on a day full of emotion.

The daughter of Sarah Darras, Auriemma's overworked but never overwhelmed executive assistant, also spoke as one of the representatives from Quaker Hill Elementary School regarding the Waterford school's "Ponytail Drive." Jayne Darras estimated that 14 inches of her hair was cut off all in the name of raising funds for cancer research.

Auriemma was at his entertaining, caustic best during his 10 minute speech.

From busting on Ryerson's Joey Carusone for mentioning that his fundraising efforts landed him pizza and ice cream while the female students who preceeded him mentioned the books they received as part of their efforts to telling the Cheshire field hockey players in attendance that he does not understand any of the rules governing the sport they happen to play, Auriemma's reputation as a top-notch public speaker certainly wasn't damaged.

All jokes aside, the partnership between "Geno's Cancer Team" and the Connecticut Association of School is near and dear to Auriemma's heart. His father died of cancer and Auriemma has used his celebrity status in Connecticut to raise awareness of the fight against cancer.

"Maybe it's because we are so jaded with what we hear and what we read," Auriemma said. "Are public schools any good? Are our kids being taught? Is anybody learning anything? Then you come here and you watch these kids stand up and so eloquently express what they are doing, why they are doing it and what it means to them. It restores the faith that you want to have as a parent, as a member of the community that good things are happening in our schools. This message should get out more and
more. I just sat there and I was amazed at how poised and how sharp they are, how knowledgeable they are about what they are doing and why they are doing it and how much it means to them. It restores my faith that kids want to belong to something. To me that is part of growing up. It is really gratifying, it really is.

"When it is all said is done, more is said than is done. That is the old saying. You hope what was said today, what was expressed is followed up by people actually doing things. That is going to be the challenge for us and our group. The message from my team at school to the elementary school kids that it is the way that you do things, your heart and passion you put into it which is going to determine your success."