Zaching Against Cancer

𝒁𝑨𝑪𝑭 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒁𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔!💪🎓
We are incredibly proud to recognize students whose lives have been impacted by cancer and who continue to inspire others

Zora Hurley of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School is a recipient of the 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 Scholarship.

When Zora was 11 years old, her mother underwent treatment for breast cancer. Several years later, while Zora was in high school, her mother was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. Despite months of treatment, she passed away shortly after Zora’s 18th birthday. Throughout these challenges, and while balancing the emotional and daily responsibilities of caregiving, Zora relied on the support of her friends, family, teachers, and school counselors to continue thriving both academically and within her community.

Zora distinguished herself as a member of the varsity swim team and served as secretary of the Pan African Student Association. She also interned with Canyon Kids Occupational Therapy and worked as a lifeguard for five years. Demonstrating remarkable initiative and leadership, she founded her own business, “Zora Steps In,” providing babysitting and dog-sitting services.

Zora credits her mother’s strength and courage as a lasting source of inspiration that helped her remain positive and resilient. She will attend University of Tampa, where she plans to major in Psychology with the goal of pursuing a career in mental health, supporting teenagers and young adults facing anxiety, grief, and depression.