ROCKWALL, TX – November 2, 2020 — When local sixth grader Lani Voorhes learned that his former 5th grade science teacher Randi Kerby was diagnosed with breast cancer, he knew he had to do something to show support for his favorite teacher.
He called his dad at work to tell him about Ms. Kerby – who teaches at Billy Stevenson Elementary – and how heartbroken he was to hear that his favorite teacher was sick. He told his dad that he would play his next lacrosse games in her honor, and that we wanted to make T-shirts supporting Ms. Kerby in her fight with cancer. He came up with the design for the shirts, and his mom Christiana Voorhes went to work making them. They ended up selling $400 worth of shirts at Lani’s lacrosse games last weekend, in what was dubbed the Pink Out Lacrosse Tournament.
“I am playing all my lacrosse games for Ms. Kerby,” Lani said. “She is my life inspiration leader, the reason I do so good at school and why I am gonna be a science teacher just like her.”
Lani’s shirts became a huge hit with the community. The “Men of 5th Grade Science” Team in Rockwall ISD – made up of 5th grade science teachers in the district – all bought shirts and even shaved their heads in support of their colleague.
The idea to design the T-shirts was definitely something one might expect from Lani, who earned the nickname “Mr. T-shirt” at school last year because he would come to school every day wearing a T-shirt with some funny pun or inspirational saying on it. He continues to wear his cool T-shirts to this day while attending Summers Middle School, and often chats with Ms. Kerby.
“She is an amazing teacher and really sows into the kids,” Christiana said. “She has done some lunch dates over summer break and played Bingo over Zoom to stay connected. Randi is amazing and my kids are so lucky to have her in their life. The Voorhes family is blessed to know her and support her in this fight. We will science the heck out cancer!”
To show your support for Ms. Kerby, purchase a T-shirt here.
By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.
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Local sixth grader designs T-shirts in support of Rockwall ISD science teacher battling breast cancer added by Austin on
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