The downtown FLOCK Fest event, a fundraiser as part of the Piedmont High School’s DUCK Week planned for Saturday morning, March 8, has been canceled due to weather, organizers said.
Other times for the events for DUCK Week have been set for the Piedmont School District’s annual fundraising work.
The pancake breakfast is underway at the Piedmont Area Veterans Association Events Center, 170 Edmond Road NW in Piedmont on Saturday, March 8 until 11 a.m.
Three recipients of the annual DUCK Week fundraising in Piedmont Public Schools have been named.
WHAT IS DUCK WEEK?
This special Piedmont tradition is an annual charity week led by PHS students to raise funds for people from the community with significant medical needs. D.U.C.K. stands for Doing Unselfish Charities for Kids.
Events are held at school and throughout the community to benefit the student-selected recipients.
Here are the recipients of 2025.
Joseph Alleman:
Alleman in 2011 was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
“His health challenges have only intensified over the years,” according to a social media post about DUCK Week. Alleman was diagnosed in 2020 with stage five chronic kidney disease. By 2021 he started dialysis three days a week. Alleman requires three life-saving transplants, a heart, a kidney and pancreas.
“As his health continues to decline due to type 2 diabetes, vasculitis, cellulitis, Steven Johnson Syndrome, and nerve damage in his hands and fingers, the post reads.
He has complications stemmed from staph infection contracted while working as a surgical technician in the operating room that led to the rapid deterioration of his organs. Despite a pacemaker, and defibrillator, his conditions severely impact his daily life and that of his family.
“After being denied transplant eligibility at five hospitals, Joseph is now seeking critical care and evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in hopes of restoring his health rough transplantation,”: the post reads.
Allie Menard:
Menard is a junior at Piedmont High School. She was a member of color guard and theater and participated in the Canadian Valley Technology esthetician program. Menard also works as a barista at Scooters in Piedmont.
In October 2024, she began noticing changes in her health, including swelling in her lymph nodes and persistent fevers. On Nove. 14, 2024, Menard was diagnosed
with pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and started chemotherapy the very next day, according to the post about DUCK Week on social medial.
“She is currently in the second phase of treatment, facing complications that have kept her in the hospital for months. While she has a long road of treatment ahead, Allie is deeply grateful for the support of her friends and family during this chalening time.
, the post reads.
David Melkonian:
Melkonian was diagnosed with stage two metastatic seminoma cancer in October 2024. He had surgery to remove the initial cancer tumor, but further scans showed that the cancer had spread to three lymph nodes. Following his diagnosis, Melkonian began an intensive chemotherapy regimen in November 2024 consisting of four rounds of five-day treatments every three weeks.
“In the course of treatment, David has experienced a wide range of symptoms, including neutropenia, where he needed further injections to help his body stimulate blood cell production. Once his chemotherapy treatments conclude, they will determine if any further treatment or surgical intervention is needed.,” the district’s DUCK Week social media post reads.
Melkonian is married to wife Briana, a second-grade teacher at Northwood Elementary.
The couple has a six-month-old son,Grayson.
“David’s strength and resilience continue to inspire those around him and is a testament to his faith in God.”
In other DUCK WEEK news, one part of the fundraising fun is Duckopoly, family game nights.
“From classic board games to community events, we’re uniting for a week of fun, generosity, and making a real difference. “Let’s roll the dice for good and show the power of our incredible community!” the district post reads.
Here are the events ahead:
Saturday, March 8
PAVA Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run- 8:30 a.m., $10.
5K- 9 a.m., $30.
FLOCK Fest downtown, canceled.
Monday, March 10
Restaurant: Sonic
PowderPuff Football- 6:30 p.m., $5 admission to the public
Tuesday, March 11
Restaurant: Subway, The Mix
Community Carnival- 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12
Restaurant: Wendy’s, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, March 13
Restaurant: Sharp’s BBQ, Blast Nutrition.
