According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in 2018 about 4,824 children, adolescents and young adults younger than 20 years old were expected to be diagnosed with leukemia nationwide. Among those was Boulder Oaks second-grader Luke Hayworth, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year.
According to the Alpine School District Health Services Programs Secretary, Luke’s diagnosis is unique in that he is the only student among the 1,750 in the district to have the disease.
Since his diagnosis in December the elementary and middle schools in Alpine have all joined forces in launching community events to show support for the 8 year old and his family, including one on March 6 called Love for Luke Day.
Love for Luke Day was created when Boulder Oaks principal Jenna Weinert asked her school Associated Student Body council to consider how they might be able to honor Luke. The students came up with the idea of wearing blue and orange, symbols of the leukemia awareness, said Weinart. However, the outreach grew into a full Love for Luke Day with the ideas and help of Boulder Oaks PTA president Carly Maritz and other parents and teachers.
“So many people came together to help, it has just been incredible,” Weinert said. “I am in absolute awe of how our entire school district and the community of Alpine has come together to support Luke and his wonderful family. The outpouring of love and compassion our students have shown truly demonstrates what a special place Alpine is.”
Students from Granite Hills High School visited Luke’s classroom, where they helped second-and third-graders there make “Get Well” cards that will be delivered to Luke by his teacher, Mary Hoffman.
“We’re such a small town and I felt like our help would make a big difference,” said Aubree Brawner, 15-year old student at Granite Hills, to the elementary schoolchildren.
As the high school students filtered in and sat with the younger children, Luke’s classmates gathered at their classroom tables with colored paper and stickers in hand to create their cards. At three different tables, at least one student claimed Luke was their best friend.
“He is super-smart, one of the smartest, he already did third-grade math,” according to Haylee Brawner, one of Luke’s classmates.
“Luke is everybody’s friend, and he’s still in our class, just not here right now,” Carson Maritz chimed in.
Luke’s teacher expressed admiration for the maturity shown by Aubree in coordinating the visit, and gratefully acknowledged all the Granite Hills’ high-schoolers who took the time to work with her young students.
“It’s incredibly generous of the high school kids to reach out to us and offer to support my class like this,” said Hoffman.
While undergoing treatment Luke’s immune system is compromised and he has to take precautions against exposing himself to contagious infections. But that limited contact did no prevent him from see the outpouring of support.
Students, teachers, and community members lined up outside the school to call out their encouragement as Luke was slowly driven though the parking lot and he able to hear and see the entire student body gather to bolster his spirit.
A Hayworth family friend, Carly Maritz, said there will be future events, including a fundraiser and silent auction at Boulder Oaks Elementary School on June 1, 2019.