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Former students help retired teacher raise money in Relay for Life
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Friday, May 18, 2007 11:50 PM EDT
Argus-Press Photo/Anthony Cepak Karen’s Kids Relay For Life team members (l-r) Sheila Rogers, Mike Sommer, Karen Sommer, Megan Rogers and Jeff Simms walk the course at Shiawassee County Fairgrounds Friday evening.
CORUNNA - Surrounded by pink plastic flamingos, and enjoying a frosted pink-ribbon cookie, Karen Sommer spent a little time Friday evening with the students who helped her through the fight of her life.
As part of the 11th annual Relay for Life held at the Shiawassee County fairgrounds, the retired Owosso teacher is being honored by former students, family and friends during the 24-hour-long walk.
The annual event celebrates survivors of cancer, remembers lost loved ones and raises money for the American Cancer Society.
Sommer retired in 1999 from teaching at Central Elementary School after 30 years, but the students she taught haven't forgotten her.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, two of Sommer's former pupils created the relay team “Karen's Kids” and are walking with about 15 others for the second year today.
Co-captains of the team Becca Kimble and Megan Rogers decided they had to do something for the woman who taught them third- and fourth-grade after hearing of her diagnosis.
“She put in so much time for us and it's two days that we can put all our energy into,” said Kimble, 22. “I would do anything for Mrs. Sommer.”
Sommer spends half the year in Florida and said having the goal of seeing her old students last year helped her get through chemotherapy and the trip back to Michigan.
“Emotionally it is really draining as well as physically draining, but thinking about seeing my kids again (at the relay) -it was just kind of that light at the end of the tunnel,” said Sommer, 59.
While showing support for their teacher, the team also raises funds for the American Cancer Society. This year they anticipate donating about $1,000 - up from last year's $800.
For more than a week before the event Kimble and Rogers organized flamingo drops to raise funds - which Sommer said she found “hysterical.” Between 80 and 90 local front yards had visits from Fred the pink, plastic flamingo - which could be dropped at another person's home for a donation.
“She was an amazing teacher and we figured this was a way to give back,” said Rogers, 22, adding a few Fred's were causalities of lawn care mishaps.
Money raised by the more than 30 teams at the event go toward research, education, advocacy and service programs, said American Cancer Society Community Representative Jenni Beamer. Last year the event brought in more than $134,000 with a goal of $140,000 this year.
Although the love of her students helped her during her battle with cancer, Sommer said they have given her confidence for the future.
“Its heartwarming - you want these kids to become great adults, to do things in life that will make the world better,” she said.
“When I was 19 I was only thinking about what date I was going to have Saturday night, I was not thinking about Relay for Life or American Cancer Society...they really are outside of their own personal selfishness, they have gone to the next level of maturity and that to me is very heartwarming.”
Still able to sing songs tied to grammar lessons in Sommer's classes, the team captains say they plan to continue walking for their teacher.
“She has such a spirit for life and love for everything - it's inspiring,” said Rogers.
“Last year we could see affects of the chemo...but you could still see the spunk in her face,” she added.