One of El Dorado High School’s 10th grade English teachers, Aprile Richardson, was just re-diagnosed with breast cancer. The community has been supporting her during this tough time in many helpful ways.
The community came together on January 1st and did a prayer circle at El Dorado High School for her. Faith is a very important thing to Richardson. Richardson says, “My faith is what gets me through each day, but prayers from each other are priceless.” Many of her students now and former have made her encouragement cards and posters, some of which she has hanging up in her classroom. A past student of hers, Rachel Parks, made a poster for her which Richardson has hanging in her room. Parks loved making the sign for Richardson and wanted to give her back something. Parks said, “I’m really glad I made the sign for her…I was happy to do something for her after everything she has done for me.”
Another EHS student who has supported Richardson is Noel Phillips. Phillips did a cupcake fundraiser with all profits going straight to Richardson. Phillips said, “I hope this fundraiser will help Richardson pay for gas on her trips to Little Rock, food, hotel rooms etc.”
Phillips wanted to show Richardson support because she has been the best teacher. Phillips said, “I’m doing this cupcake fundraiser for Richardson because she’s been one of the best teachers I have ever had.” The cupcakes were even decorated pink to show support for breast cancer. The cupcakes were passed out behind the TAC house on Jan 21st.
Even some EHS teachers have been supporting Richardson. Angi Gibbons, photography teacher, has been selling Team Aprile t-shirts, signs,and bracelets. Team Aprile signs are $20, t-shirts range between $15-$22 depending on size, and bracelets are $3. Contact Angi Gibbons to place an order. If you would like to do a direct donation, a Team Aprile account has been set up at Smackover State Bank. The tellers should know the account number. There is also a Venmo account that has been set up, @team-aprile-1, verification code is 6206. Contact Gibbons for more information regarding any of these.
Richardson feels that the support from students and coworkers has been incredible. Richardson said, “I feel love from every direction when I walk through the doors of EHS!” Prayers have been her most powerful way of support, but she loves everything everyone has done for her. Richardson said, “I think prayers are my most powerful support! I’ve loved students and my precious coworkers stopping by to check on me, writing me notes of encouragement, and just voicing their concern/love.” She is trying to find a happy medium between teaching and treatments. She loves teaching so this has been very difficult for her. She feels it is hard to recover because of the expectation she sets on herself. Richardson said, “Teaching has proven to be quite difficult during these treatments … It’s hard for me to recover from a treatment because of the expectation I put on myself in the classroom. It’s a learning process, and I’m trying to figure out a happy medium.”