This past June, offensive line coach and U.S. history teacher James Scott received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Students and staff have come together to show their support to Scott and his family.

“Anybody in the situation I think needs support. They are going through so much, not only physically but also emotionally,” football coach Andrew Grimm said. “I consider him a friend and when a friend is hurting like that you step up and try to help them.”

A GoFundMe account, Scott Strong Fund, was set up by our school to help financially support the Scott family with medical bills. So far, donations made to the account exceed $16,000.

“He normally does not ask for help or anything and just accepting it means a lot, because he’s not used to it but he’s glad they want to help him,” coach Scott’s daughter sophomore Lauren Scott said.

Groups including the football booster club and volleyball team have sold purple T-shirts as a fundraiser for Scott. Additionally, Thursday has been designated as a day for teachers to wear their purple T-shirts to support Scott.

“It’s great, it’s positive, and it shows that people care and that he has a strong background behind him with a lot of people supporting him and fighting it with him,” junior football player Isam Adams said. “I help out with all the football fundraisers as much as I can to show him I’m there for him and try to be positive around him.”

He is a great guy according to Grimm.

“I know he’ll do anything for us in a heartbeat. He will help us at a drop of a hat, so I try to do whatever to help him,” Grimm said. “[The support] shows how much he touched peoples’ lives.”