The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Seventh-grade cancer survivor gives back
By Sean Dalton, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 29, 2008
†A very special young man in the Dexter Community School district has decided to show his appreciation for a community that has uplifted and supported him.
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That is why he is holding a food drive Friday at Mill Creek Middle School.
Laurence Carolin, a 13-year-old seventh grader living in Scio Township, was diagnosed five months ago with a cancerous brain tumor.
After experiencing six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, the treatment took its toll on Carolin and the tumor.
"The good news is that the tumor has shrunk, and at least for now, there is no sign of cancer," said Lisa Carolin, Laurence's mother. "It's been a physical challenge for Laurence, who has lost weight and has battled nausea and fatigue for months."
At the beginning of May, when Carolin began feeling better, he decided that he wanted to give something back to the community after all that people have done for him. From the teachers and students at Mill Creek, to the families involved with the Dexter Soccer Club, to many of his neighbors in Loch Alpine, meals, visits, donations and prayers continue to pour in, according to his mother.
"I am so grateful for all the nice things people have done for me that I want to do something for others," Laurence said.
On Thursday, May 29 Mill Creek teacher Val Berryman and students in her Community Service and Leadership class organized a food drive in Laurence's name with all donations going to Faith in Action.
"I wanted to give back to the community that I grew up in," says Laurence. "I don't like the thought of suffering, homeless and starving families at all.† So I thought I might as well start local and help people here."
†The seventh and eighth graders at Mill Creek will be collecting the food on Laurence's behalf of the local food pantry throughout the day, and the students will be packing it up from 1:50 to 2:30 p.m.
The collected food stuffs will go to the Faith In Action group.
There will also be a public opportunity to honor students in the seventh and eighth grade classes who have reached impressive milestones for community service on June 2 at 7 p.m. during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meting at Creekside Intermediate School.
The students mentioned have earned a service pin this year for completing community service hours.†The district will be recognizing the more than 40 students that have individually performed 25 to 150 or more hours of service, while a student at Mill Creek.†
The Dexter Lion's Club will honor three students with plaques to recognize their outstanding service.
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