It was a field of green on Friday, September 16 at North Royalton High School, honoring a young man who was taken too soon. Alec Miciumas, a Junior at North Royalton High School, was only sixteen when he passed away the morning of Thursday, September 15 after he battled cancer for a year. Green was his favorite color
“It was beautiful to see the community of North Royalton come together and support the Miciunas family during their time of loss,” said North Royalton School Superintendent, Greg Gurka. “Our students, staff, and parents immediately came up with ways to express their sympathy, compassion and support, and continue to do so, like wearing Alec’s favorite color of green to the football game and releasing hundreds of green balloons in his memory.”
Family members remember Alec in this way: “Alec’s personality and contagious smile would light up a room, touching the lives of everyone who was blessed to know him. With his unfaltering determination to never give up even in the hardest of times, Alec will forever be the definition of courage. He never complained throughout his battle with cancer. Alec is loved by so many friends at North Royalton High School. He loved skateboarding, snow boarding, video games and crazy socks.”
In order to assist students who were mourning the loss, grief counseling was provided, as the School District set up a mobile crisis team on September 15 and 16. Most students and staff wore green to honor the memory of this young man. A moment of silence was also observed at the North Royalton football home game the evening of September 16, which was then followed by a balloon release of the green balloons.
“Alec was a well-liked, easy going young man with a great smile,” reflected North Royalton High School Principal, Sean Osborne. “North Royalton High School students were very supportive of Alec as he fought his cancer. Since his passing, the students continue to support one another, and in their own ways, Alec’s family. Students and staff were provided opportunities to meet with grief and crisis counselors if they needed the support. We are committed to continuing to help our High School family members as they deal with this tremendous loss.”
Miciumas was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, last September. The cancer spread, in spite of extensive treatments. Family and friends were received at the Jardine Funeral Home in Strongsville, with a funeral mass at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. He was interred at the Strongsville Cemetery.
Various individuals and groups have stepped up to support the family’s medical expenses. A YouCaring page was also set up to assist. According to friends who set up the fund, he was described as “an easygoing and thoughtful person, who in his quiet way, is always willing to extend a helpful hand.” Those interested in donating can visit the page at youcaring.com/alec-miciunas-465294. Also, a fundraiser is being held tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium, according to Osborne. The Volley for the Cause will be held as our volleyball team takes on Nordonia Hills High School. Attendees are asked to dress in green or consider buying one of the special “Volley for the Cause” t-shirts available in the Athletic Office.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer