The atmosphere inside the packed Rampart High School gymnasium resembled that of a pep rally or a playoff game on Thursday as kids from several Academy District 20 schools ran out onto the floor to deafening cheers and applause.

The cheers kicked off an event that sparked memories, tears, laughs and a lot of haircuts.

More than 2,000 students, faculty and family members filled the Rampart bleachers for the 19th Bald 4 Bucks assembly, an annual fundraiser that invites youngsters and adults to shave their heads for a cause: To raise money to fight cancer. Funds are donated to Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Each year, the assembly sponsors a “hero child,” a community member fighting cancer. This year, Rampart students and staff honored one of their own.

Cora Fogle, a senior who loved dinosaurs, animals and people, lost her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December, but her presence could be felt throughout Thursday’s event. Inflatable T-Rexes bounced around the common area. The gym was decked out in teal, her favorite color. And this year’s T-shirt — showing this year’s theme, “Stomp Out Cancer” — was adorned with a design Cora made during the final weeks of her life.

That was classic Cora, making her mark even though she wasn’t in the room, said Sophia McGowan, a Rampart sophomore who is also battling cancer.

“We’ve had our lives touched in such incredible ways by her character and how she lived her life,” McGowan said. “Even though it was for a much shorter (time) than that we could have hoped, Cora showed us all what true friendship looks like.”

Several of Cora’s friends, classmates and family members were in attendance, including her father, John Fogle, who said Bald 4 Bucks represents much more than just haircuts.

“We want this day to be about who (Cora) was, what she stood for and what this day means for other kids, and their families, who are still going through this fight,” Fogle said.

After several speeches by family and friends, and a video tribute that drew tears from nearly everyone in attendance, it was time to power up the shears and start cutting hair. Several local stylists volunteered their time to shave roughly 160 heads.

“I love being able to use my talent to give back,” said stylist Becky Hilstrom. “I have kids who went to school with Cora and were impacted by her, so to be able to do it this year is extra touching.”

In the common area outside the gym, among several local vendors, Diane Ziegler offered an array of handmade hats for anyone who wanted them. In 13 years of supporting Bald 4 Bucks, she has given away thousands of head coverings, earning her the moniker “The Hat Lady.”

“When I heard about this event, I wondered what I could do to help,” Ziegler said. “I thought, ‘Well, if kids are shaving their heads in the wintertime, they’ll need something to cover their heads with.’”

Over the course of a year, Ziegler makes about 300 hats in different colors and sizes, she said.

“Kids’ heads seem to be getting bigger,” she joked.

This year, seven District 20 schools joined the Rampart community in the fight against cancer, including Frontier, Academy International, Academy Endeavour, Ranch Creek, High Plains and Foothills elementary schools as well as Mountain Ridge Middle School.

Event organizers hope to raise $70,000 this year, which would bring their fundraising total to more than $750,000 since the event started.

“Bald 4 Bucks is not just shaving heads and raising money,” John Fogle said. “It’s about people stepping up and saying, ‘You’re not alone.’ And when you’re in a fight like this, that matters.”