WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Liberty Middle School family of teachers, administrators and students celebrated the life of colleague and friend, English teacher Kim DeMeo, at a fun-filled powderpuff football game that raised funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in her honor.
DeMeo was diagnosed in 2015 with breast cancer and after several surgeries and chemotherapy is now cancer-free. She returned to work in September after a one-year absence. She has been married to her husband, Jason, for 10 years and the couple has 5-year-old twin daughters, Sydney and Miranda.
In addition to teaching DeMeo is also a children’s author, who wrote the book “One Little Egg,” about the couple’s long journey to conception via egg donorship.
The powderpuff flag football extravaganza featured two all-female teams of teachers and students in a friendly battle while the all-male cheerleading team rallied the crowds. In addition to fundraising for Komen, photos of the event will be sent to the NFL as part of Liberty’s participation in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.
“The game ended in a 21-21 tie,” science teacher Sue Zaccaro, who organized the event, said in a press release. “We raised $508.50 to donate to Komen for the Cure. It’s the second year we’ve raised money to make a donation in Kim’s name.”
Last year Liberty ran a successful basketball fundraiser in DeMeo’s honor.
“I am so appreciative of Bob Klemt and Michelle Martino’s support, and to Sue Zaccaro for organizing such an amazing event,” DeMeo said in the release. “I am so happy to be back at work with my LMS family. Their love and support is definitely what got me through such a terrible year — breast cancer and the sudden death of my dad. Our Liberty kids are incredible! They have shown love and empathy throughout all of this. Their support has been truly amazing. I’m so proud to say that I am a West Orange public school teacher.”
Photos Courtesy of WOSD
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