Crafton Elementary School supports student battling leukemia

A fifth grader at Crafton Elementary School was able to celebrate her own day through her biggest passion — dancing.

The school held a Team Lexi Day on Feb. 26 for 11-year-old Lexi Schmidt, who was diagnosed with leukemia last July.

Students lined up outside, chanting “Lexi” as she arrived for school. As she walked inside the building, students followed behind her acting as her entourage.

“It was very overwhelming, but I was very happy,” Schmidt said.

Fifth grade teachers Robin Wenrich and Noreen Kelly, who organized everything for Team Lexi Day, held it in February because it was her birthday month.

“We thought it would tie everything together, getting us all involved while enjoying something Lexi loved so much, too,” Wenrich said.

The day-long dance-a-thon encouraged students to dance at the top of each hour to songs Schmidt selected. To ensure covid-19 guidelines were followed, students danced in their classrooms while social distancing.

Students and staff also wore Team Lexi shirts or the colors orange and blue in support. A fundraiser selling T-shirts was held to raise money for Schmidt’s treatment. More than $1,000 was raised, but donations are still being collected, Kelly said.

While fundraising was a part of the day, Kelly said the event felt like “so much more.”

“To know it was all about Lexi and to see her dancing with her friends, it was such an amazing day for her,” Kelly said.

Marie “Mimi” Schmidt, Lexi’s mom, said Team Lexi Day showed her how much the school has been there for her and her daughter since the diagnosis — being able to arrive late and take absences when needed without penalty are other examples of how the school has shown support for her.

“It meant everything to me,” Marie Schmidt said.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Lexi at gf.me/u/yws67t. Team Lexi shirts can also be purchased by emailing teamlexitshirts@gmail.com.