In leadership class at Pope High School, the biggest lessons are learned outside of the classroom.

A recent class project raised more than $23,000 for childhood cancer research.

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“It’s designed to instill qualities of a leader, and part of leadership is servant hood” said teacher Jim Haskin.

The 32 students in the class helped organize the “Black Out” event at last Friday’s Pope vs. Kell varsity football game.

Buckets were passed through the stadium to collect donations, which will go to the Rally Foundation, a nonprofit group that formed three years ago by parent Dean Crowe.

For the second time in two years, cancer has afflicted a Pope High school football player. And once again, students and others in the community are joining forces to help fight the devastating disease.

In June 2006, Matt Hobby lost his battle with a rare childhood cancer. Now, senior Daniel Mendel is being treated for a tumor in his leg.

Alison Ilg’s daughter, Alyssa, is in the leadership class and has seen the reality of cancer up close. Alyssa recently lost a soccer coach to cancer.

“She’s passionate about helping these kids,” Ilg said.

Pamela Steele didn’t know Hobby well, but as the mom of a sophomore football player, she is drawn to the cancer cause.

“Matt’s life symbolizes something — he gave us the charge to help the kids he couldn’t help,” Steele said.

Steele helped with the students’ efforts leading up to the football game, including a t-shirt sale at Pope.

“The kids that are in the class are go-getters,” Steele said. The Leadership class is taught each semester at Pope, and students must be recommended by a teacher to apply.

The class recently helped with a school dance for special needs students at Pope. Next semester, the class will take on new projects, such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“It’s really a worthwhile class,” Haskin said. “They really learn about developing character.”