BACK IN CLASS
School celebrates Huntre’s return after brain surgery
When Huntre Allard pulled up Monday to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Elementary School, he felt like a hero.
A long honour guard of faculty and students welcomed him and his mother, Lisa Marchand-Aylesworth, on Huntre’s first day back after brain surgery.
“The whole school was all lined up around the front of the school, and there was a huge banner welcoming him back, with everyone waving and screaming,” she said. “It was so emotional and overwhelming.”
The honour guard included classes from primary to senior celebrating Huntre’s return. “There was music and the kids were dancing,” said Huntre’s Grade 4 teacher, Carla Aquino. “His mom drove through nice and slow so he could see everyone.”
One of the teachers brought in John Deere-decorated cupcakes for the farming and tractor fan and classmates had hand-written cards, with everyone excited to welcome their friend back to school, said Marchand-Aylesworth. Huntre walked into his classroom that morning, despite that he often requires a wheelchair. “We walked from the car to his class,” his mother said. “He was asked if he wanted his wheelchair and he said, ‘No I want to walk.’” Huntre started Grade 4 following a lengthy absence because of his battle with brain cancer. After surgery Jan. 10 to remove tumours in Huntre’s brain, he’s feeling strong enough to re-join his classmates.
When asked by reporters if he felt special because of the outpouring of support, Huntre said he “felt like a superhero.” Huntre’s first day back fell on the 100th day of school. Along with celebrations for Huntre, students enjoyed other events and activities in the afternoon.
“They ’re doing a movie lunch, so it’s a fun day, a good day for him to transition back,” his mother said.
The doctors are so amazed. If you were to tell them (he’s back at school), they would have to see it to believe it …
Huntre will continue to undergo chemotherapy, Marchand-Aylesworth said. They will play things by ear — starting with going back to school every other day for half days to see how he feels, what his energy levels are like and to balance medical appointments. As for his first day back, Huntre felt great. When his mother picked him up at lunch, Huntre told her he wanted to stay. “We weren’t sure how he was going to be, coming in for the first time in a year, but he was so darn excited,” said Aquino. “He asked to stay for the rest of the day.” “He’s feeling really good. He looks a little tired but I don’t think he wants to give it up,” March andAlyes worth said.
She stays positive, and attributes that outlook to Huntre’s success. “The doctors are so amazed. If you were to tell them (he’s back at school), they would have to see it to believe it — except for his surgeon. She’s always had the confidence that he would do well.” “He’s broken every boundary that (the doctors) set: ‘He won’t walk, he won’t make it out of the hospital’, and he’s done all of that,” she said. Marchand-Aylesworth said she just takes it one day at a time. “I look at right here, right now,” she said. “This is where we are right here, right now, and I’ll take it. “You have to have hope, and you have to be positive. If we weren’t positive, he wouldn’t have gotten to where he is now.”