Together they fight: Bucyrus High students rally in support of secretary's cancer battle
Fran Swavel is a secretary at Bucyrus High School. She also is a wife, a mom and a woman battling uterine cancer. She is a fighter.
She had no idea what was going on at the school Tuesday as her friend and fellow staff member, Justine Moodespaugh, led her into high school gym.
Swavel was wearing a T-shirt with the word “Fighter” printed in bold letters on the front that she thought was a gift from her co-workers − until she walked into a pep rally held in her honor.
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Applause for her erupted and echoed throughout the gymnasium as Swavel spotted her daughter, Jillian Symsick.Symsick had only learned about the surprise for her mom a few hours before it happened and made her way to the school from Pioneer Career and Technology Center.
As mother and daughter embraced, tears ran down their cheeks as they were filled with emotion at the outpouring of love and support from the students, many of whom sported T-shirts that featured the words "Fight Together."
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“Fran gives to everyone, so I thought we should give back to her in some way,” said high school senior and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) student Maddison McDaniel.
McDaniel came up with an idea to have T-shirts made in honor of Swavel’s courageous battle and positive attitude.
“We sold 96 shirts to present Fran with the proceeds that are raised,” McDaniel said.
Her DECA adviser, Jody Tackett, was completely on board with the idea.
“This was all the students. They have made this happen and we managed to keep it all a secret from Fran this whole time,” Tackett said.
While McDaniel designed the shirts that were approved by her fellow DECA students, they were produced by Matt Winemiller of Fusion Apparel in Mansfield.
“He gave us a good deal when he found out what they were for,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the goal of the T-shirt sales was $500 to give to Fran to help her out during her many trips to medical appointments.
“We actually raised $712, but already had the large check made up to present to her in the amount of $500. We are presenting her a second check with the rest of the money,” McDaniel explained.
The check was presented to Swavel after she hit a gong three times. The students set it up for her to emulate the ringing of the bell that signifies a person with cancer has completed treatments.
“I am overwhelmed and had no idea they were doing this for me. I am so surprised and grateful. Everyone has been so supportive,” said Swavel before taking a group photo with the DECA students and others who were wearing the T-shirts in her honor.
Senior Landon Chapman has family members who have battled cancer.
“It is good that we are giving back to her since she is so giving to others. I am glad that we can do this for her,” Chapman said.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus students rally in support of secretary's cancer battle
