Summer school begins Monday, July 8
Albany High School sophomore and cancer survivor Rylyn Swierzewski was named 2018 Student of the Year on March 1 by the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
In eight weeks Swierzewski raised more than $28,000 for the society, which supports research into a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and provides free information, education and support for patients and families affected by the diseases.
Swierzewski competed for Student of the Year against some nine students and student teams from around the Capital District and surrounding areas. Her fundraising efforts on the Student of the Year campaign began Jan. 11 and ended March 1.
Diagnosed in 2009 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, she spent more than two years undergoing chemotherapy, numerous blood transfusions and other cancer-related treatments.
She was named Girl of the Year in 2012 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society shortly after her last chemo treatment. Soon afterward she began raising money for the group as she raised awareness about cancer.
Swierzerwski was cancer-free six years as of Feb. 1. Learn more about her in the Winter 2018 issue of “Capital Education.”
The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
