13Lea JordanSouth View High School was recently honored by the N.C. High School Athletic Association with the Commissioner’s Cup at the organization’s annual meeting in Chapel Hill. But South View principal Brian Edkins got an even bigger prize when he went to the Tiger prom later the same week.
Attending the prom was South View student Lea Jordan, who graduated early in January but learned less than a month later she was suffering from leukemia. She’s been in and out of the hospital at Duke since then getting treatments.
Before she left, Jordan vowed to attend her prom in May. Edkins said if they had to, they’d carry her across the stage. They didn’t. Jordan made it under her own steam.
What made her appearance special was Jordan was one of the recipients this year of a donation made possible by South View’s Kicking for Cancer soccer fundraiser. It was an idea started nearly 20 years ago by Edkins when he was the school’s soccer coach as a tribute to his dad, who was a victim of cancer.
The charity event, conducted in the soccer preseason each year, has raised close to $100,000 in its history. It is why South View was one of eight schools in the state to receive this year’s Commissioner’s Cup, which is presented to member schools of the NCHSAA for charitable
or other outreach programs to their
local communities.
Initially, all money from Kicking for Cancer was given to the American Cancer Society.
In recent years, donations have also been given to individuals battling the disease.
This year, Jordan became the first South View student to receive a gift of $500 to help with her struggle with cancer.
Edkins said the goal of Kicking for Cancer becomes clearer when you start to put actual faces on the people the money goes to. “When I saw her there she was absolutely glowing,’’ he said. “It made me so happy. You get to see where your hard work is going to.’’
Jordan said the week of prom she didn’t have to undergo a chemotherapy treatment, so her energy level was good. She found a dress in Durham the Tuesday before prom and got out of the hospital the next day.
“It meant a lot,’’ Jordan said. “My last day of classes (at South View) was Jan. 27. I was thrown into a world of being in and out of the hospital and don’t get to see people my age and my friends
that much.
“To be able to see them and spend time with them made me feel like a normal teenager.’’
The chemotherapy has caused Jordan to lose her hair, but she said she never considered wearing a wig to the prom. “It’s me and who I am now,’’ she said. “It’s something I had to deal with. It’s not something I’m ashamed of.’’

Latest Articles

  • Gallery 208: Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins
  • Kindah Temple No. 62 hosts annual Spring Ceremonial
  • FTCC Foundation invests in students’ futures
  • Unique Easter traditions from around the globe
  • Flawless Touch Detailing celebrates new location
  • CFRT: The Play That Goes Wrong...Again
Up & Coming Weekly Calendar
  

Advertise Your Event:

 

Login/Subscribe