THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603290209
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KATHERINE STEWART, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Jason DeGutis Day was a huge success.
First Colonial students and staff, local businesses, neighboring schools and members of the community banded together March 23 to raise an estimated $10,000 for Jason, the First Colonial senior who is battling a deadly form of cancer.
About $5,300 was raised from a yard sale at the school, and $2,200 in pledges has been collected so far from a polar dive, where 60 people braved the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Organizers expect the pledges to reach $5,000.
In January, after fluid was drawn from a lump on his neck, Jason was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Jason, 18, has no medical insurance to cover skyrocketing bills that have already topped $10,000.
Jason, once unknown to most of his fellow students, has gained friends and support from First Colonial, surrounding schools and the community. The garage sale was a success, according to First Colonial guidance counselor Marcia Gutnick. The senior class manned 40 tables piled high with items at 8 a.m., when the sale started. By 11:30 a.m., the tables were almost bare.
``The kids were wonderful. They tried hard to sell items to people,'' Gutnick said. Local businesses donated things to the garage sale, including Lillian Vernon and Wal-Mart. In conjunction with the garage sale, the seniors also held a bake sale. Chesapeake Bagel Bakery Co. donated 40 dozen bagels for the sale.
On the same day, 60 people plunged into the 41-degree ocean to raise money. Included were seven First Colonial teachers; several employees from Lillian Vernon, where Jason's mom works; and students from various high schools.
Lee Land, one of the First Colonial senior class sponsors, raised $700 in pledges for her dive. She said that the support for Jason is tremendous and that he has gained some friends who will probably remain friends throughout life.
And jars in the cafeteria are filled daily by students who choose to eat less so Jason's bills can be paid. MEMO: Katherine Stewart is a senior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in Suffolk.
She wrote this story as part of her career shadowing project. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jason DeGutis, a First Colonial High senior, has non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
by CNB