Peabody First-Graders Celebrate Classmate's Last Cancer Treatment

PEABODY, MA — Brown Elementary teachers and students came together Monday to help make it a special day for a classmate who recently completed her cancer treatments.

Peabody Public Schools said Harper Reis, has battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since 2018, completed a final round of treatments on Sunday before returning to school on Monday.

Superintendent Josh Vadala and Brown Elementary School Principal Lauren King said the celebration was dubbed "Harper's Happy Day" — a surprise that included balloons, fun activities, cancer awareness discussions and "survivor goodies."

"We want Harper to look back and remember a celebration of her strength and bravery," first-grade teacher Elizabeth Ofilos said in a news release. "Harper has taught us the importance of a positive attitude and has helped us put things into perspective each day.

"She is our hero."

Nurse Tracy Connolly, teachers Ingrid Hjerpe and Denise Lemenager came together with students and administrators to take part in the party.

"Harper has been so brave and strong throughout all of her treatment since 2018 —now it's time to celebrate her recovery and the end of a long and difficult treatment process," Connolly said.

Peabody Public Schools returned to full, in-classroom learning with students and staff adhering to coronavirus-related protocols during the party.

"This is a really happy moment for Harper and it gave us a special opportunity to come together and celebrate as she reaches this milestone," King said. "She is a wonderfully positive, vibrant student, and has put forth her best effort each and every day regardless of the challenges she's faced."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)