Students sport orange for friend with leukemia

WOLCOTT, Ind. (WLFI) - There was a sea of orange in the hallways at Tri-County Middle Senior High School Monday, as students, faculty and staff showed support for a special student.

They say they're walking every step of the way with one of their classmates in his journey fighting cancer. 

Fifteen-year-old Wesley Corbin is described as a leader of his class, a boy who has a million-dollar smile.

"Wes is really awesome,” Tri-County freshman Austin Schneider said. “He's really determined as a kid and he's always been determined at everything he does."

"Wes is just so strong in his faith. He's a gentleman,” Sister Robyn Corbin said.

Friends of Wes even joke about how tall the 15 year old is for his age.

"When he first moved here everyone was like, 'Wow, he's tall,' because he's 6 feet 5."

But inside that tallness and inside that big body of his, he's got kindness.

And behind that kindness of the 6-foot-5 freshman at Tri-County, there's something a little deeper.

The 15 year old is fighting leukemia.

But his younger sister Robyn says he's fighting it with that million-dollar smile of his.

"The day he was diagnosed with cancer he goes to my mom, 'Even if I do die, I know where I'll be going,’ and that made my mom really happy because his faith is so strong that he can say that,” Robyn said.

Monday, students, faculty and staff at Tri-County wore orange to support Wes. It's all a part of “Wes Week,” a week dedicated to him and his fight against leukemia.

But the fight to help Wes doesn't stop there.

The teacher who ends up with the most money in their box will get a pie in their face at the end of the week. It's to get kids to donate more so they can help Wesley get through his treatments.

And principal at Tri-County, Dr. Kathy Goad, didn't waste any time Monday, making her donation to the pie fund.

"I would like to see nothing better than to see a pie in her face Friday, so you guys need to put some money in this jar,” Dr. Goad said. “And you know what, I'm going to help you out! I'm going to put some starter money in here for you guys."

“Wesley has great faith,” Tri-County freshman Megan Mussche said. “He knows that he's going to make it through this and we're all supporting him and we all have faith that he will make it through his battle too."

As Wes' army of support continues to fight for him, the 15 year old says he'll continue to fight his battle from his hospital bed, and can't wait to come back home.

Wes is currently going through chemo at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

You can email Tri-County Principal Dr. Kathy Goad at GoadK@trico.k12.in.us, or call the school at (219) 279-2105 if you'd like to donate to Wesley's fund.