North Stafford High School senior Justin Whitaker, who is battling T-cell lymphoma, smiles during a graduation ceremony held for him at the school on Saturday. Peter Cihelka/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Hundreds honor local Superman

North Stafford students turn out to honor classmate

BY CATHY DYSON

Date published: 2/4/2008

BY CATHY DYSON

Almost 500 members of the North Stafford High School community turned out Saturday night to support one of their own in his battle against cancer.

The setting could have been somber, but it seemed more like a wedding reception instead. Justin Whitaker, the 18-year-old who has inspired others with his positive attitude, greeted every person who lined up to see him.

His long-time girlfriend, Courtney Crews, was at his side. She and other marketing students and Student Council Association members came up with the idea of a dinner and talent show to honor Justin. Two teachers--Leigh Swift and Nicole Hagermann--pulled the massive event together in less than two weeks.

Justin and Courtney thanked people for coming. Justin gave bear hugs and pumped fists with classmates he'd known since elementary school. He threw his arms around the shoulders of Robbie Pierhalla and Sean Deasy, fellow seniors who recently had Justin's initials tattooed on their left arms.

"Basically, it's our way of showing him, no matter what happens, we'll always be close," Robbie said.

Those who never met the student got the same reception. Justin gave them hugs, asked a few questions about their interests and smiled--hundreds of times, as digital cameras flashed.

"It's just amazing," said Zac Briley, one of Justin's closest friends. "In a big school like this, I hear people every day that I never heard of, but everybody knows Justin. I don't think there's a person in the school who doesn't know his name."

Or what he's been through since June 2006.

Justin was 16 and a popular member of the baseball team when he was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T-cell lymphoma. The cancer affects cells that fight infection, but the student who came to be known as "Superman" wasn't about to let it beat him.

Months after his diagnosis, he started going to baseball practice, despite being on medicine that made it hard to walk. He got stronger every day and was back on the team the next spring. The community rallied to help with bills.

Then the cancer knocked Justin down again.

His condition got so bad last fall, his father, Craig, said he'd die without a bone-marrow transplant. Justin had that surgery in November. Things looked shaky at first, but Justin rebounded. In a January interview, he wanted to tell others: "You should never give up."

Saturday's dinner and show was planned for late February, but got pushed up when Justin Whitaker's condition worsened. So did other events. The senior's goal in recent months has been to walk down the aisle and get his diploma. Principal Thomas Nich-ols donned his official graduation robe and awarded Justin the parchment Saturday night in a private ceremony. Justin's counselor, Diana Smithey, also brought her gradu-ation robe and stood beside Justin for more pictures. She's called the family every other day for months to check on Justin and his father, Craig. The principal also gave the family a $3,000 check. That's money school clubs raised in the first semester and does not include Saturday's take. Donations were still being counted. Teachers Nicole Hager- mann and Melissa Allen put together a Presidents' Weekend package for Justin and six friends and family members. All their expenses are paid for three nights, as they'll stay at Kent Island, Md., and go on tours at Camden Yards and Annapolis. Businesses donated their services when they heard Justin's story, Allen said. The Make-A-Wish Foundation will send Justin and his younger brother Jordan and two adults to Hawaii. That was supposed to happen in June but also has been pushed up to March. Justin and his family have been overwhelmed by the generosity of those around them. "It makes me feel great to know somebody cares," Justin said. "It gives me more strength inside." Donations can be sent to the Justin Whitaker Cancer Fund at North Stafford High School, 839 Garrisonville Road, Stafford, Va. 22554. The 24th annual oyster roast at White Oak Equipment will benefit Justin's medical fund. The event begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.

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Date published: 2/4/2008