Peoria Liberty High has stepped to the forefront as an example of how community resolve and support blends with the athletic programs.

The school put together “Pink Week,’’ signifying breast cancer awareness and awareness of other forms of cancer, and had a ceremony at halftime of Thursday night’s football game against Cottonwood Mingus.

Donors got a “ribbon’’ painted on the football field. There were even some donors from Mingus.

Liberty’s volleyball teams wore pink uniforms during the week. The three levels have a combined record of 44-1. The football team is 8-0 after a 34-20 win over Mingus.

Players wore pink wristbands. The spirit lines and athletic trainers wore pink. The lower parts of the goal posts were wrapped in pink.

Donations totaled $5,000, and the money was given to the American Cancer Society.

The most touching aspect of the program came at halftime, when about 50 or so cancer survivors and their families took a “courage lap’’ around the track and were showered with applause from both the Liberty and Mingus spectators.

Former Marshall University football coach and former college athletic director Jack Lengyel, a six-year resident of the area, also supported Liberty and its project.

One of the project’s main organizers was Rick Johnson, the Liberty athletic director. Johnson’s roots go deep into the Arizona community, particularly in the west Valley. He has been a coach and/or administrator at Phoenix Maryvale, Glendale Deer Valley, Peoria High and now Liberty. He also has been on various boards of the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

Everyone involved with the project, particularly the survivors, should be commended.