Hauppauge high schools paid tribute to a late former student Friday with their 17th annual Kicks for Cancer event.

Courtney Tomkin was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 17 in 2008 and died months later.

Organizers and participants at the event say she remains an inspiration to many.

"She was loving, caring, charismatic,” said Kicks for Cancer cofounder Alexis Gonzalez. “Strong would be an understatement. She was in school up until the last week she passed.”

Boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams played during Kicks for Cancer.

Organizers say the proceeds will benefit cancer research.