Students at Ferron Elementary held a birthday party assembly for Averie Grace Ward on Jan. 21, her second birthday.
Averie was not able to attend because of her fragile condition, but the students were able to help her celebrate via social media. The party was complete with balloons, games, the happy birthday song, cookies decorated in purple and best of all one large birthday gift.
The student body and faculty began earlier this year to collect “Change for Averie.” The grand total of $1,549.83 was given to Averie and her family at that time.
Averie was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare form of cancer and has under gone radical chemotherapy. At this time the growths have reoccured, and Averie will undergo surgery to try to get them removed in February. After surgery she will once again have chemo.
Her mom, Jodi Ward, is a teacher at Ferron Elementary. Her older sister Kenleee is attending kindergarten there as well. Averie’s father works for the Emery County Sheriff’s Office. Her mom, dad, sister and new baby brother, Bryson, are now staying in an apartment in Salt Lake City so that Averie can receive the medical attention she needs.
At the assembly second term Liberty Kids Awards were also presented. Kindergarten: Paizley Jackson, Alice Wilde and Sawyer Mead. First grade: Jett Winn and Morgan Mills. Second grade: Tacey Funk, Kaicee Behling and Hadley and Hazen Meccariello. Third Grade: Kali Jensen. Fourth grade: Sara Stevens, Mishayla Waite and Amanda Mesler. Sixth grade: Byron Christiansen, Addison Fox and Dace Behling.