Mariah Antopia
Mariah was one of my 7th grade English students last year when she was diagnosed with a rare desmoid tumor in her abdomen, thighs, calves, and feet. She missed every Tuesday (and sometimes more) for chemotherapy treatments or doctor visits. Mariah never missed an assignment and earned the highest average of all my 7th grade PreAP students for the entire year. On top of that, she always had a bright smile on her face and a positive attitude, even when she didn't feel well. She was unable to play sports because of her port, and it really frustrated her. She and her mom researched athletes that were able to play through chemo and found a chest plate that would protect her port and allow her to play. She made the basketball team this year, and I got a call last Tuesday to let me know she'd be playing in her first game Wednesday night. On top of that, I got the amazing news that she'd gone back to the doctor before Thanksgiving, and her tumor was gone! She wanted to make sure I knew. When I walked into the gym Wednesday to surprise her, I wish I could've had someone take a picture of her face lit up. She had no clue that my heart lit up just as much, if not more, to see her in action on the court and hug her sweet neck after the game.
Someone read my post on Facebook the next day, and the news came out to interview her. Here's the link: http://www.ksat.com/content/pns/ksat/news/2014/12/04/8th-grader-beats-cancer--gets-back-on-basketball-court.html
She has an amazing spirit, and I'm so blessed to have had her as a student that impacted my life.
Submitted by Anonymous
