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AIS enjoys YSU game after raising funds for 4th grade student battling cancer
By ROBERT CONNELLY
AUSTINTOWN
Austintown Intermediate School Principal Jeff Swavel and schools Superintendent Vincent Colaluca say their hair hasn’t been this short since their football-playing days.
It’s so short now because the school district raised about $11,600 to help fourth-grader Emily Orlaski,10, and her family with her stage four kidney cancer, specifically Wilm’s tumor, which affects children.
Emily’s teacher, Amy Fitzgerald, also had her head shaved during a ceremony before the Youngstown State University baseball team took on Oakland at Eastwood Field Friday in Niles.
All 1,200 students of Austintown Intermediate School cheered on the YSU team after the hair cutting, while Emily and Fitzgerald donned hats during the bright day with a cool breeze.
“I get [my hair] shortened in the summer, but not quite this short. Just hoping some of it grows back,” Swavel joked.
Administrators from the school district said students just wrapped up a phase of state tests with more to come before the school year ends.
“It’s just great to hear a lot of kids [Friday] morning that were third-graders” who weren’t here last year “who were so excited because they had never been to a baseball game before,” Swavel said. “It’s a nice stress-reliever and break from the normal routine they have every day.”
Kim Smrek was one of the co-chairmen for the fundraising committee, “Strike Out Cancer,” and was thankful for nice weather after rain on and off throughout the week in the Valley.
“We’re overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity,” she said, thanking the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and YSU, which gave a Bo Pelini autographed helmet to raffle.
“This whole event shows what a great community we have,” Colaluca said. “I’m just really proud of our school system that we were able to support Emily.”
There still are two weeks left in the fundraiser, and donations can be made to “Strike Out Cancer” at any Home Savings and Loan branch.
In addition to helping Emily, 10 percent of the funds raised will go to Team Beinecke as Brian Beinecke is running in the Melanoma Run in Pittsburgh in June to benefit melanoma research.