By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

He’s a kid who is fighting quite a battle. But Luke Lewis has a whole army of schoolmates who are behind him all the way – a whole army that’s pulling for him, and working hard and pulling for Lewis to have a victory in his battle against cancer.

Lewis is a sophomore at Dexter High School, and since early this year he has battled stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He’s missed out on a lot – school dances, classes, kidding around in the halls between classes, after-school activities, and the daily camaraderie between friends.

But Lewis has not been far from the minds of his classmates. They have sold lollypops, lime green ribbons and more – all to raise funds and awareness for him. Students huddle in school counselor Jennifer Miller’s office in between classes to work on projects and fundraisers – and the students use the Internet and social media to keep in touch with Lewis.

Luke is the son of Michelle and Stephen Quinton, and the family moved to Dexter from Indiana just before the tart of the 2011-2012 academic year. Since February he has been receiving medical treatment at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. He has gone through some tough treatments – chemotherapy, blood thinners and more. And because of the treatments he has lost his hair, is weak and is susceptible to flu-like symptoms and coughs. There have been trips back-and-forth to St. Louis and long stays in the hospital.

So this Saturday evening, Luke’s classmates and friends are going to “raise the roof” of the DHS gym in a unique and fun fundraising event – Lyrics for Luke.

The event will feature The BUZZ rock-n-roll band and other bands and musicians – all to raise funds for Luke and his family.

The BUZZ includes T.S. Hill Middle School principal Scott Kruse on drums as well as DHS alums John Stewart, Kip Musgrave, and Bobbi Kay Wooley Parker. They still play that “good ‘ol rock and roll,” still have a good time, and still can chase the cows out of the ‘back 40’’.

Some other folks will join the BUZZ Saturday night – they might be called the “younger young generation.

“We’re going to set up in the gym,” Kruse explained and Stewart will do his magic with the band’s equipment. “The (high school) kids will bring their guitars and (drum) sticks and plug into our equipment. We’ve got J.T. Putnam and his band, and we’ve got other kids who are going to sing with us.”

Kruse said The BUZZ has given its song list to a number of high school musicians, and they will sing with his band. High school musical “phenom” Joseph Greer will also join the show.

“The BUZZ has played a lot of fun shows, but nothing is more fun than the feeling of helping out a family in need and having a good time doing it,” he said.  “So proud of the High School STUCO for organizing this event. Let’s celebrate life and show Luke that no one in this community fights alone.”

Kruse also gives the credit for this event and others the students have sponsored to Miller.

“She’s been great – she’s gotten this all together,” he comments.

“It’s going to be a ‘come hang out’ event for a good cause and have a great night,” Kruse said. “They’ll have t-shirts, too. All the money is going to go to this kid’s family. It should be a lot of fun.”

A community effort such as this is, Kruse said, typical of our wonderful community and school system.

“This is typical of our community and schools. The support is there,” he said. Kruse calls Lewis a “hero.” “There are students who have challenges, but not many of them are taking chemo, loosing their hair and fighting like this. It’s a respectable thing that these kids are doing to come together for Luke.”

What’s Happening

• What: Lyrics For Luke
• When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Place: Dexter High School Gym
• Cost: $5 minimum donation