Helen Keller Middle School will mark its 60th anniversary on March 26, a significant milestone in the school’s history. The date coincides with the birthday one day later, on March 27, of Mikey Friedman a beloved former student who died in 2008 after a courageous battle with a rare cancer.
To honor Mikey’s memory. the school will begin a month of events, along with a rededication ceremony of the school on March 28.
“The dedication ceremony marks the beginning of the school’s long history, so in honor of Mikey, the school will embrace his spirit with a month-long celebration themed, ’60 Years of Love and Learning,’” said Annie Mohr, Helen Keller Middle School Assistant Principal.
Mikey, an Easton resident, attended both the middle school and Joel Barlow High School. His life was tragically changed when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, a battle that ultimately took his life. His legacy continues to inspire the local community through his Mikey’s Way Foundation.
Mikey was in remission for nine months, during which time he was offered one wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Instead of using his Make-A-Wish opportunity toward any of his individual desires, Mikey used the funds to create the foundation, which works to improve the lives of children with cancer by providing them with entertainment during treatments.
“Just his decision to use his wish from Make-a-Wish to start his own charity says everything you need to know about Mikey,” said Les Friedman, Mikey’s father.
This year’s anniversary at the school will feature a unique collaboration, between the 60th anniversary festivities and Mikey’s legacy. The school will celebrate a month of activities led by students, all designed to raise funds for Mikey’s Way Foundation.
Mikey showed an unwavering commitment to positivity, even while battling cancer. He prompted the school’s mindset for the month of March, said Mohr.
“Instead of always focusing on what’s going wrong, what if we spend the whole month training our brains to focus on the good?” said Mohr. “When you see the good it multiplies.”
The goal is to raise enough money to host a “Mikey’s Way Day” at Smilow Cancer Hospital on the pediatric floor. Smilow itself and the Mikey’s Way Foundation has strong ties to the Easton community, said Mohr.
Rather than solely raising money, the school is dedicated to fostering a sense of community by organizing events with small participation fees. The school will offer a variety of activities, including a before-school basketball tournament, an after-school baking competition, a cheese tournament, a trivia challenge, roller chair hockey, a video game tournament, a pie-the-teachers event, and much more, said Mohr.
“We’re putting together a full calendar of exciting events for the community to enjoy, and the staff is volunteering to help organize these student-run activities, creating a huge initiative that will bring immense joy to everyone involved,” said Mohr.
Every three years, the students at the middle school get to be involved in planning the memorial event.
“The ideas were generated by the kids,” said Steven Clapp, Helen Keller Middle School principal. “Every new group of students, each three years, gets to participate in an assembly discussing Mikey’s legacy, and we open the floor for students to share their ideas for the month.”
The entire Easton community is invited to participate in the month’s events, showing support for the foundation and preserving the legacies of both Mikey Friedman and Helen Keller, the school’s namesake.
“March 27 would have been Mikey’s 36th birthday, so having this event this month is even more touching,” said his father. “With the funds raised this month we will be able to continue sending laptops and tablets to pediatric oncology children all over the country.”
