By Andrea Freygang, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer, AFreygang@RN-T.com / 706-290-5271

Many people say angels walk among us, and Ginger McClure is positive Model High School student Chase Keener is an angel.

“He’s made an impact on the entire community,” said McClure, a Model teacher. “There’s a verse in the Bible that says angels are around you aren’t aware of, and Chase is an angel who has touched my life.”

The Model senior was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, in early 2005. Chase has struggled with the cancer, undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

After Thanksgiving, he didn’t return to school, said Martha Hufstetler, Model High counselor, and since all Chase wanted was to graduate high school, the community pulled together and he received his diploma Wednesday night from interim Floyd County Superintendent Lynn Plunkett.

“He has been bedridden since Thanksgiving, and hospice has been called in, … and our whole school was afraid he wouldn’t make it to graduation, so we wanted to make it happen some other way,” said Hufstetler. “There is not a more deserving student. He would come sick and barely able to hold his head up, but he was determined not to get behind, and he pushed physical and emotional barriers.”

Several hundred people, mostly from the Model community, filled Model High’s auditorium to recognize Chase’s determination to graduate.

“He’s stronger than I am — I just had surgery, and there’s so much
wrong with him, and everyone’s asking if I’m OK, and it could be worse,” said Katie Howe, his cousin who was on the wrestling team with him. “He was my age when he came down with cancer, and I think how my life is now, and I don’t think I could do it.”

Another Model student, Crystal Albright, was in tears as she talked to Chase.

“I’ve known him since he was 2. I remember growing up together,” said Albright, who lived next door to his grandparents. “He used to meet me at the fence every day with flowers and candy. This is really hard, but he’s doing as good as he can. But he is really strong. He’s not giving up — I don’t think he’ll ever give up.”

Chase’s strength through the adversity was a common thread noted by family and friends.

“I’ve known Chase since sixth grade, and …. we’ve been like brothers. It broke my heart to see him go through the pain,” said Shane Self, his best friend and fellow Model student. “It’s just amazing how he carries on. I don’t know anyone who’s lived through the stuff he’s been through.”

Self helped Chase navigate his wheelchair through the graduation that included a reception, balloon release, candlelighting ceremony and special presentation of a varsity letter from the wrestling team.

Chase struggled to find words other than being embarrassed by the attention because he says he has done no different than any other person with cancer. He did say the support felt good. And his mother, Tabitha Jett, like most in the crowd, was teary-eyed.

“The high school came to me, and the fact they wanted to do this shows me a community can come together,” said Jett. “He has just put a smile on so many people’s faces. I’m shocked at how many people came out, but it means a lot. It overflows my heart.”