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Rick Iurka, a social studies teacher at Nesaquake Middle School who left his classes in April 2023 to battle cancer, surprised students by making an appearance at the school’s “Moving Up Day” (a day to celebrate eighth graders ‘moving up’ to high school) – only to be surprised himself.
Students Gracyn Catalanotto and Morgan DeBello, who had previously had Iurka as their seventh-grade teacher, came up with an idea to raise money for him and show their support.
The two girls ordered rubber bracelets with the words “#IurkaStrong” emblazoned on them.
They sold these bracelets throughout the school, ultimately raising a total of $771 to donate to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“It makes me cry ( in a good way),” Iurka told Daily Voice. “[Gracyn and Morgan] are two very caring and genuine young ladies who put in a lot of work to order and then sell the bracelets.”
Leaving his classes was difficult and “certainly emotionally tolling,” he said.
Now cancer-free, he was glad that he got to see his eighth graders at “Moving Up Day” before they went on to high school.
The cherry on top, it seems, was Gracyn and Morgan’s fundraiser.
“Gracyn and Morgan are just the best, and they did it all without a THOUGHT of recognition,” he said.
Knowing that his students and colleagues at the school wanted to purchase bracelets was moving, Iurka said, adding that they sold out quickly – “a hot item for sure!” – which he joked was much better than if nobody had wanted one.
Iurka plans to return to teaching in the fall, something he said he can’t wait to do.
Though his cancer fight is over, the love from the school and community alike is a feeling certain to linger on.
“The support from all of my students, colleagues, administration, and families in Smithtown over these past few months has been incredible,” Iurka wrote.
“I’m a lucky guy.”
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