Belle of the ball: Township students honor sophomore with dance

By TOM LAVIS
The Tribune-Democrat

February 06, 2006 03:38 pm

— Courtney Rummell, a sophomore at Conemaugh Township Area High School, was the belle of the ball Friday at her first formal dance.
While many students in Cambria and Somerset counties are attending sweetheart dances to celebrate Valentine’s Day, few could express the love and emotions demonstrated at Conemaugh Township.
This occasion was not a typical Valentine’s Day dance.
Classmates dedicated the dance to 15-year-old Courtney, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on her spinal cord that has been growing rapidly toward the base of her brain. Depending on how quickly the tumor grows, the doctors have given Courtney only weeks to live.
While students were encouraged to wear their Sunday best, the intent was to raise money on Courtney’s behalf.
The engaging teenager is the daughter of Jim and Anita Rummell, who live along Route 985 near Benscreek in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County.
Family, friends, classmates and the community have rallied around Courtney since learning that her cancer returned in September following surgery in 2004 and a regimen of chemotherapy.
“Something like this renews your faith in people,” said Anita Rummell, who is on family leave from her job as a travel agent with AAA in The Galleria in Richland Township.
She said it’s common to think that people care only for themselves.
“But many people, even complete strangers, have contacted us and asked if there is anything they can do to help,” she said.
Courtney, who has long brown hair and is still maintaining her weight at
140 pounds, is taking things one step at a time.
Confessing that she is more comfortable in sweatpants and a T-shirt, Courtney was excited to get a new gown.
“The closest I have come to dressing in anything fancy was wearing a black skirt and white blouse for a school concert,” said Courtney, as she rested on her living room sofa. “I have never got gussied up like this.”
Students of the high school’s Serving Our Neighbor club spearheaded a campaign to give Courtney an opportunity to enjoy her first formal.
Club adviser Beverly Mlaker of Ligonier Pike said Courtney was uneasy about wearing a gown because she couldn’t wear dress shoes.
“Because Courtney experiences some balance problems, she is unable to wear dress shoes,” Mlaker said.
“She wore (athletic) shoes that matched her dress perfectly. Her friends also wore athletic shoes in admiration of Courtney.”
The club encouraged students not to buy anything new but to wear clothes they already had.
Some students established a dress exchange, where girls exchanged previously worn gowns. They also refrained from buying flowers or getting their hair styled in an effort to raise more money.
“We thought that any money normally spent on such extras should go to Courtney,” Mlaker said. “We told the kids that proper attire could range from formal, semi-formal to clothes that would be appropriate for church.”
While others may have scaled back, Courtney got the royal treatment.
“Someone came in and did her hair, her makeup, and we have arranged for transportation,” Mlaker said.
About 175 students shared the evening with Courtney and they raised nearly $1,000.
“Courtney actually got up to dance a few times,” Mlaker said.
Friday’s dance was the latest in a string of events to raise money to defray Courtney’s medical expenses.
“We also have been selling orange bracelets, which is Courtney’s favorite color, throughout the school and community,” Mlaker said.
The bracelets are similar to those sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research.
“We are selling them for $3, but the bracelets are significant because they will be a reminder to keep Courtney in people’s thoughts and prayers,” Mlaker said. “All proceeds go to the family.”
The school club also sponsored a charity basketball game between students and faculty members and the community.
The event, which was held Nov. 10 in the high school gymnasium, raised more than $7,000 to help pay some of Courtney’s medical expenses.
Supporters have been peppering the Internet with e-mails asking for prayers for a miracle.
“We have gotten e-mails from as far away as Costa Rica and California,” Anita Rummell said.
Classmate Jamie Gennett, 15, a daughter of Brian and Ricky Gennett of Davidsville, has known Courtney for three years and visits her nearly every day.
“We really don’t discuss her illness,” Jamie said. “We do normal things: Watch TV, listen to music and talk.”
Jamie said Courtney’s courage has been an inspiration to those around her.
When asked what Courtney means to her, Jamie said, “Everything.”
“She has made me realize how valuable life is and that we should treasure every moment.”
Schools superintendent Joseph DiBartola said the district will do everything in its power to be there for Courtney and her family.
Some classmates have already talked with grief counselors and arrangements have been made for professionals to be available when needed.
“We have counselors on call when the need arises,” DiBartola said.
“Whether it is someone involved in an accident or confronting cancer, it affects a lot of people. But it is times like this when we see the good in people come forth.”
DiBartola said the community and school, collectively, are trying to do what is best for everyone involved.
On June 16, 2004, Courtney underwent spine surgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh to remove a tumor from inside her spinal chord. Paralyzed for a time, Courtney later returned to school in a wheelchair.
Chemotherapy treatments ended in June 2005 and, three months later, Courtney complained of shoulder pain. Doctors then discovered the tumor had returned.
“Each month since it came back it has doubled and tripled in size and is classed as a Stage Four cancer,” Anita Rummell said.
Anita Rummell said her daughter is facing her illness head on.
“She got her diagnosis on a Thursday and returned to school Friday to share the information with classmates and her teachers,”Anita Rummell said.
Courtney said she wanted to return to school to make sure her friends got the correct information.
“News travels fast and it’s not always right,” Courtney said. “Jan. 6 was my last day, but when I walked in, I was cried out by first period. I just didn’t want anyone else to feel my pain or get information secondhand.”
She has returned to school periodically for short visits, but even those are becoming more taxing.
Anita Rummell said the family has not given up hope.
“Miracles do happen,” she said.
“We always have hope.”

Tom Lavis can be reached at 532-5054 or tlavis@tribdem.com

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