Vermilion Charter celebrates childhood cancer survivors

MAURICE — Vermilion Charter Academy closed out September with a Gold Grit Event to honor some of its own childhood cancer survivors.
Each year, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The school honored four students, who walked the halls as everyone in the school took part in a “Bell Ringer” honor walk.
From Principal Jacy Ashby about the event:
“It was such an honor to spend time with these incredible children and their families during Golden Grit Day at Vermilion Charter Academy. As we listened to their stories, we were reminded that childhood cancer impacts far more than the child receiving treatment. It touches parents, siblings, grandparents, and entire families who fight right alongside them. Today was about celebrating courage, strength, and grit while bringing awareness to the realities many families face. We are so grateful to the students and families who shared their journeys with us. Their resilience is inspiring, and their stories will leave a lasting impact on our school community.”
Below is a summary of each survivor's story:
• Ahnalyse Choplin (2nd grade): Reclaiming 1,031 days of childhood
For 1,031 days, Ahnalyse Choplin’s childhood revolved around chemotherapy, hospital rooms and needles. Today, her mother treasures watching her do flips and simply play. On Sept. 28, Vermilion Charter Academy celebrated the second grader and fellow childhood cancer survivors with a Golden Grit Walk of Honor, as students and staff wore gold and rang bells throughout the halls.
• Kason Roman (3rd grade): His mother’s real-life Superman
Diagnosed with leukemia at 10 months old, Kason Roman spent a year and a half in Memphis for treatment before he and his mother could return to the rest of their family—even welcoming his baby brother there during that stay. Now five years in remission, the Vermilion Charter Academy third grader remains the boy his mother calls her “Real-Life SUPERMAN.”
• Colton Lightfoot (1st grade)'s brother Trey Benoit: From chemotherapy at three weeks old to life at 30
Trey Benoit began chemotherapy at just three weeks old and lost part of his leg to cancer before reaching remission at 15 months. Today, the 30-year-old whose childhood included karate, football and drumming is a beloved big brother to Vermilion Charter Academy first grader Colton Lightfoot.
• Dylan Deason: Surviving to become a dad (of student Levi Deason)
Diagnosed with leukemia at just 23 months old, Dylan Deason endured three and a half years of treatment before eventually being declared cured at age 10. Today, the father of Vermilion Charter Academy student Levi treasures the life he survived to enjoy—from fishing trips with his son to quiet Sunday afternoons together.