Williams MS student Luna Martell gets fairytale visit from ‘Mrs Potts’

(ROCKWALL, TX – Nov 9, 2015) Local Rockwall Williams Middle School (WMS) eighth grader Luna Martell is all smiles and rays of positivity despite her current condition. At age six, Luna was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Heptoblastoma. But cancer cannot stop the now 14 year-old young lady from having fun and living her life to the fullest.

WMS has come together several times honoring or raising money to help Luna. First, WMS held a dance challenge called “danceforluna.” For this particular challenge, students played any song and did their best dance moves then posted it online under the #danceforluna! It was not only a lot of fun, but it lifted Luna’s spirits and raised awareness.

There was also a fundraiser at Joe Willy’s in Rockwall for her on September 27^th which was a huge success! Luna even felt well enough to attend and enjoyed spending time with friends. The whole night was filled for food, fun and a lot of laughs.

In making sure Luna kept up with her studies, WMS teachers thought they had an idea that would really mean a lot to Luna. Luna adores fairytales of all sorts, so Coach Teri Bates’ classes came together to make their own stories using Luna as the main character! Each student was assigned to write a different story, and once they were all completed, Coach Bates made them into a book especially for her.

When the book was completed, Coach Bates thought of a great way to deliver it. She dressed up in full costume as Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast, the beloved Disney character, and visited Luna. “Luna loved her fairytale book,” Bates said, “Although there were some spelling and grammar mistakes here and there, we let Luna edit them for school credit. She’s our honorary English teacher.”

As for Luna’s family, they have appreciated and enjoyed seeing Luna laugh and smile while reading the fairytales. Luna continues to fight cancer, but WMS students, teachers and parents are here for her. When asked to describe Luna, Teri Bates smiled and said, “If I could describe her in a few words, I’d have to say she’s a fighter…she’s intelligent, determined, happy, and a gift from God. We’re praying for her every step of the way.”

This article was written by Williams Middle School 8th grade journalism student, Delaina Temple, and submitted by Stacey Hatten. (Blue Ribbon News loves student journalists! Great job, Delaina!)

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