Bittersweet celebration for teacher battling cancer

Posted on November 2, 2021 By Editor Junior Residents

Teacher Lancy Hinson with her 4-year-old class students from St. Johns Presbyterian Kindergarten

It was a morning full of encouragement and inspiration for a strong recovery, as little smiles and waves of fondness, devotion and love were felt by one teacher fighting for her life. Cecelia Futo, a longtime music and dance teacher in the community is currently facing a battle with breast cancer, one that she knows is not hers alone to combat.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m overcome. I’m verklempt,” said Futo, as she was overcome with emotion while being escorted past the lines of school children on the Herschel Street Campus, Oct. 15. Her daughter Claire drove her past the waving, pom-pom shaking children who love their teacher with all their might.

Posters were displayed with words of encouragement as children and fellow faculty members dressed in pink from head to toe, a colorful reflection of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This day, the teacher was the student, as she learned to lean on her systems of support. Her latest lesson in love, compassion and the overcoming of adversity could only be graded with an emphatic – A+.

Ms. Futo has been a mentor and friend to thousands, touching the lives of generations of school children and their parents over the course of her career. An accomplished Orff-Schulwerk trained educator, which illustrates her gift of teaching poetry, rhymes, games and song to area school children. Countless children have learned to better express their talents and learn to engage in the arts thanks to her teachings.

Ms. Cecelia Futo, escorted by her daughter Claire, stops by SJPK as students cheer on their beloved teacher.

From the front seat of the car, she continued to encouraged dance steps and song as the wide-eyed children shouted loving sentiments to their beloved teacher. The 4-year old classmates were shouted, “Ms. Futo, Ms. Futo….we love you Ms. Futo!”

Ms. Futo established the Dance Department at Fishweir Elementary back in 1998, produces the annual Christmas and Spring programs at the school. She also graced the first cover of Resident News alongside her daughter, back in January of 2007. Her production of the Nutcracker wound up showcasing a group of her little mice in tutus, smiles galore, as a proud Ms. Futo gathered them just before going on stage.