Last year, students and staff at Susquehannock High School banded together to support a Warrior of their own.
Jenny Smith wearing her custom designed t-shirt to show how her attitude against cancer would be! (Submitted).
One year ago this month, Susquehannock High School junior Jenny Smith was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of cancer. The news was quite a surprise to Jenny and her family. They thought she just had a cold, but that continued on for weeks. Finally, they went to the doctor and received the news.
Fortunately for Jenny, she is in remission. However, the doctor visits are not over. Smith was taken care of at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center throughout her illness. She continues to attend one doctor visit per month and undergoes routine scans every three months.
Susquehannock High School, along with Southern Middle School, were sure to show a ton of support for Jenny and her family while she went through treatment.
Each year Southern York County School District holds a Battle of the Buildings event. At the 2015 event, Susquehannock went under the name of Team Jenny and participated in her honor. At the event, and
Staff at Susquehannock High School gathered together to show off their Team Jenny apparel (Submitted).
throughout the year, shirts and bracelets were sold to raise money. Root beer float sales and spirit days were also held to raise funds. All of donations collected were used to purchase restaurant and gas gift cards for the Smith family. Money was also donated to the Four Diamonds Fund under Jenny’s name by Southern Middle at their mini-THON.
Smith was surprised to see her school rallying behind her to fight the cancer. “I got a box with a huge card, slippers, and thought ‘Okay, what’s going on?’” she said.
Southern Middle School guidance counselor Lisa Hall, left, and Erica Warren, right, ran in the Chicago Marathon with Team in Training in support of Jenny (Submitted).
Susquehannock teacher Jocelyn Ruppert and Southern Middle School guidance counselor Lisa Hall were the advisers for all Team Jenny events held at each of the schools.
“Instantaneously we knew something needed to be done, even as small as a care package,” Ruppert said. “You quickly learn, in a situation like this, how compassionate people are and how they give when people are in need.”
Kate Cramer is a freshman at Susquehannock High School. When she is not doing homework or writing a story for the blog she likes to express herself through the arts and spend as much time outdoors as she can. She has been a part of the Teen Takeover program at YDR since June of 2015.
Megan Watkins is a freshman at Susquehannock High School. She has been a part of Teen Takeover since June 2015.
