Perez Elementary and community show support for principal battling cancer

McALLEN — Louann Sarachene has a pink army helping her battle breast cancer.

Since school started, students, faculty, staff — even members of the community — have been donning pink every Thursday in support of the Perez Elementary School principal as she undergoes chemotherapy treatments.

A group of third-grade teachers began wearing pink T-shirts then fellow teachers and students followed suit. The school had pink jerseys made with “Team Sarachene” written on the back. The shirts became so popular that the school’s parent-teacher organization had to take over selling them.

Some students also wore shirts saying “I wear pink for my principal.”

“Everybody is pulling together to make a difference. (It’s) also a growth for us as a school community,” said Carla Walk, the elementary school’s International Baccalaureate program coordinator.

Other events hosted in her honor include health fairs, a barbecue and a walk-a-thon, Walk said.

Several students said they always wear pink on Thursday to support their principal.

“Sometimes (when) I lose a shirt I wear a dress that looks like this,” said Danielle Lopez, a 6-year-old first-grade student wearing a pink dress.

Danielle and her fellow students said they saw a Peanuts movie that talked about cancer and that Sarachene has addressed them via Web cast from her home to keep them in the loop about her progress.

“She’s really active … caring,” said Sofia Aliseda, a 9-year-old fourth-grade student.

Teachers called Sarachene a true motivator and leader and said they appreciate how she has used her fight against cancer to educate the students about the disease.

“She has opened to the eyes of these kids not to fear this serious disease,” said fourth-grade teacher Terry Morin.

She and fellow fourth-grade teacher Monica Rios said the students are starting to talk about cancer and what they can do to help find a cure for the illness.

“My daughter wants to eat yogurt all the time because of the cap,” Rios said, referring to the Yoplait Yogurt cups that have lids people can send in to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization to raise money for cancer research.

Sarachene is expected to return to Perez Elementary School after winter break. Students already are planning the ways they will greet her.

“I’m going to wear all pink when she comes back,” said Mary Lopez, a 6-year-old first grader.

Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.