District 70 Schools come together to honor custodian's fight against cancer

The Highland Middle School marching band marched over to Copeland Manor School on the morning of Sept. 30 with a police escort. Once at the school for the start of day, the band members serenaded custodian Maria Jimenez in celebration of her final chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

The band, which was practicing outside and marching around the neighborhood as members prepared for the Libertyville High School homecoming parade on Oct. 3, veered from its normal practice route as it marched and played down Lincoln Avenue, across Milwaukee Avenue, and over to Copeland Manor School. A pink fire truck from "Guardians of the Ribbons" trailed behind.

The special fire truck, named Jessica, is part of the Pink Heals organization and the "Care Enough to Wear Pink" campaign to raise awareness of women who have fought cancer, or who are fighting cancer like Jimenez. Jimenez autographed the truck to add her name to the thousands of signatures already covering the truck. Copeland Manor secretary Sue Bell also signed the truck, having courageously won her battle with cancer. After signing the truck, the petite Jimenez also tried on the firefighter gear, saying she was thankful to the entire school community for supporting her and encouraging her on her journey.

"To celebrate Maria's final chemo treatment, the Highland Middle School marching band played for a pep rally," said Copeland Manor Principal Lori Poelking, who choked up a little when she named the day "Miss Maria Day" in front of a crowd filled with students, teachers, parents and Libertyville District 70 administrators. Poelking also ceremoniously closed a book during the assembly to denote a celebratory moment of "'closing the book' on this chapter of (Jimenez') fight, which began last school year. We are all wearing pink," Poelking, who organized the event, said.

It was the first time the HMS marching band was part of a pep rally in another District 70 school.