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Dragons benefit for local teacher

Facebook photo There are 13 different basket themes on display at Bella Capelli Salon and Spa at the Liberty Street Plaza all day today in Warren. To view the themes, visit Bella Capelli Salon and Spa of Warren on Facebook, or the Warren Dragons Volleyball Facebook page. All proceeds from the Pink Out match against Corry on Thursday at Warren Area High School benefit WAEC teacher Katie Rodgers.

Katie (Tremblay) Rodgers has always done for others.

That’s just who she is.

Probably why she became a teacher. She has influenced so many of her students through the years.

Some of those students want to give back — in baskets.

The Warren Area High School volleyball team, much like other fall high school sports these days, is continuing the heartfelt tradition of a Pink Out game — to bring awareness to breast cancer and cancer research.

This year, the Lady Dragons are holding a basket raffle, a pie raffle and selling paper volleyballs to hang in the gym “In Memory Of…” or “In Honor Of…” a loved one.

And they are doing this for a former beloved elementary teacher — Rodgers — who is battling stage 3C metastatic colon cancer.

“We wanted to keep Pink Out more personal by giving back to an individual or group that had a connection to the team or school and Katie’s name kept coming up in our committee,” said Dede Latimer. “It was unanimous! Here is our write up:

‘All proceeds from the WAHS Annual Pink Out Game will be donated to Ms. Katie Rodgers. Katie is a Warren resident and a Warren County School District teacher at WAEC (currently on leave of absence) and is battling stage 3C Metastatic Colon cancer.’

‘Ms. Rodgers has inspired many of the volleyball players in her classroom throughout her years at WAEC! Her positive, can-do attitude is an inspiration to all!'”

As humble as she is, Rodgers feels “blessed” by the gesture.

“Blessed to have people that are thinking about me,” she said.

Katie, who has been battling cancer for three years, has chemotherapy every other week and has had to take a leave from teaching.

“It’s been really hard not to be there this year,” she said. “Teaching is such a part of my life.”

So is her family.

“I figured I’d crumble in this type of circumstance…,” said Rodgers. “Friends, family and just the love from everybody, all the little gifts… all that has been helpful in my recovery.

“Life is worth fighting for.”

Warren volleyball parent Lindsay Nyquist said “her students have looked up to her and hopefully all of us can be inspired from her can-do attitude. She is loved by many! If you can, come out and support Katie at the Pink Out Thursday.”

There are 13 different basket themes on display at Bella Capelli Salon and Spa at the Liberty Street Plaza all day today in Warren. To view the themes, visit Bella Capelli Salon and Spa of Warren on Facebook, or the Warren Dragons Volleyball Facebook page. All proceeds from the Pink Out match against Corry on Thursday at Warren Area High School benefit WAEC teacher Katie Rodgers.

To purchase a raffle ticket, visit Bella Capelli or see any member of the volleyball family.

“My favorite memory of having Mrs. Rodgers as a teacher was her unending encouragement and kindness,” said Warren junior Grace Wortman. “She always challenged us to read, which gave me a love for reading. Dedicating this Pink Out game to her means a lot because she had such a positive influence on many of our lives when we were kids. Giving back to Mrs. Rodgers is the least we can do to show our gratitude and support for her.”

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