Relay successful, featured surprise proposal

Held over the weekend at Monroe High School (17001 Tester Road), this year's Sky Valley Relay for Life event was filled with laughter, tears and more than a few surprises.

Every year, more than 4 million people in more than 20 countries participate in overnight Relay for Life events as a way of raising money to support the fight against cancer. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's largest annual fundraiser, raising funds to help support research, advocacy and other cancer-related programming. To symbolize the reality that cancer never sleeps, Relay for Life teams camped out overnight on the Monroe High School football field and walked the track continuously throughout the night.-á -á

This year's Relay for Life event began with opening ceremonies at noon on Saturday, May 30, and concluded at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 31.-á

Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon, owner of Big Dog's Hot Dog Joint in Monroe, served as the event's emcee. Dixon has been involved with Relay for Life for 13 years, serving as the chairperson of the Sky Valley Relay for Life event for three years, before passing the torch to this year's co-chairs, Monroe residents Linda Pearl and Linda Huskey.

As of Saturday evening, Huskey and Pearl were extremely pleased with the way the event was going. They had a total of 59 registered teams that had raised around $100,000 in donations GÇô meaning that they were well on their way to meeting the fundraising goal of $123,000. -á

"It is running so well, and it seems like everybody's having a blast,GÇ¥ Huskey said. "We haven't had any issues.GÇ¥

Former Sky Valley Relay for Life chairperson Kevin Johnson returned to Monroe for the weekend to participate in the event. Formerly a Sultan resident, Johnson moved to the Spokane area with his family last August. His wife, Lis, is a 10-year leukemia survivor.-á

Johnson's daughter Lia prevailed during the Relay Lip Sync competition last year, for her impassioned performance of the song "Let it Go,GÇ¥ from the movie "Frozen.GÇ¥ This year, she returned to the stage for an encore, performing the popular Katy Perry song "Roar.GÇ¥

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening came with Dixon's lip sync performance, which was the final performance in the competition. Initially, it appeared as if there would be a group presentation featuring Dixon, Kevin and Kevin's brothers, Erik and Randy. But suddenly things seemed to go awry.-á

One Johnson brother fell to the ground while Kevin headed over the sound booth to pause the music. Dixon briefly strayed from the performance area, as Kevin announced that they needed to start over.

Then, after donning a black leather motorcycle jacket and a guitar, Dixon returned to the impromptu stage area without the Johnsons. He gave a spirited performance of the George Michael song, "Faith,GÇ¥ after which he approached his girlfriend, Jan Woolery, who was watching him from the area in front of the grandstands. As he approached, he reached inside his jacket, retrieving something from the inside pocket. It was a ring box.-á

He got down on knee in front of Woolery.-á

"Jan, I absolutely love you,GÇ¥ Dixon said. "Will you marry me, please?GÇ¥

Once she overcame her shock, Woolery accepted the proposal.-á

Woolery, who owns the Man Cave Barber Shop (18960 S.R. 2 Suite 130) in Monroe, had no idea that Dixon was planning on proposing. He made all the plans without her knowledge and swore everyone to secrecy. He even went so far as to obtain permission from Woolery's sister, who lives in Scotland.-á

"I would never have thought he would have done that at Relay,GÇ¥ Woolery said. "Never!GÇ¥

For more information on the Relay for Life event, visit www.facebook.com/rflskyvalley?fref=ts. -á -á