How to support the 'fiercest black bear' leading her school's homecoming parade this week

A young woman wears a purple formal gown as a homecoming attendant in the 2024 Austin High School homecoming parade. — 2025 Austin High School Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal Alice Haughaboo (Joanna Sivley / Courtesy of the Haughaboo family)

Decatur’s Austin High School Principal Demond Garth says he can’t think of a better person to be this year’s homecoming parade grand marshal for the AHS Black Bears than student Alice Haughaboo, saying she’s “Austin through and through.”

Now 16 years old, Alice has spent a quarter of her life fighting malignant melanoma, including multiple trips to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis for diagnostic tests, treatments and surgeries.

All the while, her spirit, attitude and perseverance have resonated in the community and beyond.

Read on to learn more about why the school chose to honor Alice in this year’s parade, how to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and ways you can support finding a cure.

Honoring a fighting spirit

A mother and teen daughter visit with St. Jude Children's Hospital Doggy Daze volunteer therapy dog Bruce — Alice has been persistent in maintaining her passions and social connections despite four years of ongoing cancer treatments. A Dancers, Inc. student since second grade, she continued to perform until two years ago. (Courtesy of the Haughaboo family)

A young woman leaps gracefully during a dance recital — Alice has been persistent in maintaining her passions and social connections despite four years of ongoing cancer treatments. A Dancers, Inc. student since second grade, she continued to perform until two years ago. (Courtesy of the Haughaboo family)

Late last month, Austin High School announced Alice as its homecoming grand marshal in a social media statement declaring her its “fiercest black bear.”

“We choose the grand marshal for the homecoming parade, we look for people who embody Austin High School and this community. Alice has grown up a black bear, and I’ve seen her [throughout life] coming to ball games, being part of the dance team and just embodying Austin High School. And it’s also the fact that through this journey and the battle she is fighting, she’s continued to have that spirit and fight to be a part of as much as she can.”
_{Austin High School Principal Demond Garth}

AHS Homecoming Parade set for Thursday

A young woman wearing a red gown and flanked by her mother, father and sister at a formal event in January 2025 — Alice is the daughter of Decatur residents Patrick and Alana Haughaboo and big sister to Lucy. (Courtesy of the Haughaboo family)

According to St. Jude, on average, 290 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every week. Since the hospital opened in 1962, treatments developed there have helped improve the overall survival rate from 20% to over 80%.

During their time at St. Jude, Alice and her family have witnessed firsthand many other families in similar situations. They’re appreciative of the care themselves and also vocal in encouraging people to lend their support.

Join in by attending the parade this week:

Austin High School Homecoming Parade
⌚️When: Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:30PM
📍Where: Downtown Decatur (AHS lists Old State Bank, 925 Bank St NE, Decatur, AL 35601)

More ways to help

A young woman stands next to her original artwork on display at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis. — Alice shows her original artwork displayed at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in 2024. (Courtesy of the Haughaboo family)

Two more in-person opportunities to support Alice and raise awareness about and funding to fight childhood cancer:

Phi Delta Chi Spirit Day
- Where: The Brick, 112 Moulton St E, Decatur, AL 35601
- When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 11AM-4PM
- Info: All proceeds + donations during the event will go to St. Jude
St. Jude Walk Huntsville
- Where: Big Spring International Park, 200 Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- When: Saturday, Sept. 27 | Event opens @ 7:30 AM + walk begins @ 9AM
- Register

Virtually, here are many other ways you can support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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