Students and staff at a local high school have given a special gift to a special cause.
St. Ignatius High School held a small ceremony Friday afternoon to donate more than $15,000, raised by staff and students, for Michael Michon, an 18-year-old St. Ignatius student who is suffering from terminal brain cancer.
In an emotional speech, principal Pino Tassone told stories of Michael smiling through the halls of the north-side high school shouting “Go Leafs Go!”, always ready to give fellow students a high-five.
“Even if you’re down one day, you seem him and it just puts a smile on your face and puts everything in perspective,” Tassone said.
Tassone said he’s proud of the school coming together. And the act of kindness shows that the staff and students are compassionate people.
“I’m very proud of our school community,” he said.
It’s also a difficult time.
Tassone said he’s praying that Michael will get better.
“It touches home I have my own children and you think about how you’d feel if you were in his parent’s shoes,” he said.
Michael’s mother Donna said the donation is very special for her family and is happy that Michael was so accepted at the school.
“He was always happy always wanting to go to school up until a few weeks ago when he could no longer attend and it actually warms my heart to know that he touched so many people as much as he’s touched me in such a short time,” she said before tearing up.
Michael also received get well cards signed by the entire school.
He and his family recently returned from a six day trip to Florida, thanks in part to donations from the community.
