Students and staff at Medomak Valley High School and the community at large has been working on ways to support the school’s principal, Harold Wilson, who was recently diagnosed with liver cancer.
According to Assistant Principal Andrew Cavanaugh, Wilson had been feeling poorly for a period of time and had been to a doctor, but it wasn’t until he went to the emergency room during February break that the physician, an MVHS grad, ultimately discovered the cancer.
Wilson has essentially been out of school since then, Cavanaugh said. Wilson went to Augusta for treatment, ran into complications, and had to go to Boston for several surgeries, Cavanaugh said.
During Wilson’s time in Boston, Cavanaugh drove down with a bunch of cards students and teachers had made for Wilson.
“He was very touched by the good wishes and the things his students had sent to him,” Cavanaugh said.
The school’s National Honor Society chapter had 800 green bracelets made up that say “Mr. Wilson, Our Principal” and “Medomak Valley Strong” which they have given out to staff and students, Cavanaugh said.
Wilson has been back home in Port Clyde for several weeks, and still speaks with Cavanaugh on the phone almost daily. Wilson remains concerned about the students and wants the focus at the school to remain on education, Cavanaugh said.
Wilson will also still sign the school’s diplomas for the school’s 2015 graduates, which will mean a lot to him, Cavanaugh said. “He always took a lot of pride in being able to give a kid a diploma.”
In the meantime, several efforts have been ongoing to support Wilson in his fight.
A fundraiser at the school has pitted the students against the staff to see which group can raise the most money through donations. If the students win, 15 staff members (including Cavanaugh) have volunteered to have their heads shaved at the school’s student of the month assembly on Friday, April 3.
The school’s front office staff came up with the idea for the fundraiser, and after Cavanaugh agreed to shave his head, 14 other male staff members have since agreed to as well.
One female staff member was also interested, but “we thought that would be a little more than we could ask,” Cavanaugh said.
Cavanaugh believes the head-shaving is a foregone conclusion, particularly with a $500 donation from a Friendship couple going to the students’ effort.
Cavanaugh said he’s heard a number of community members also plan to shave their heads, “more than anything just to say ‘Hey, Mr. Wilson, … we’re in this with you.'”
A spaghetti supper to help Wilson and his family pay for medical bills and other expenses is planned for Wednesday, April 8, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in the MVHS cafeteria.
Sponsored by the MVHS community and the MVHS All Sports Boosters, the meal will include spaghetti, salad, bread, drinks, and dessert. The cost is $8 per person or $25 per family.
Live entertainment will be provided by band teacher Peter Stuart and students, and there will also be a raffle.
For more information on the dinner, call 832-5389 or email Lisa Gunn at lisa_gunn@msad40.org.
Other fundraising events are also being planned by community members to benefit Wilson, Cavanaugh said.
