The Grapevine

Samantha Cordray poses in her Spirit of America cheer uniform. Photo submitted.

Ryleigh Murphy, a fifth-grader at Bath Elementary, underwent 10 surgeries over the past two years for cranial empyema, a rare condition affecting her brain. During her recovery, she found comfort and joy in painting fingernails. She and her family transformed the hobby into a pop-up spa to raise funds for another Bath student, Ava Cooper. Cooper is awaiting a heart transplant at Cleveland Clinic. A beautiful friendship has formed between the girls. 

Revere High senior Samantha Cordray was one of 600 high school cheerleaders and dancers from around the country selected by the Spirit of America Cheer and Pom team to march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Spirit of America has been working with Macy’s for the past 35 years to organize and rehearse with the students chosen

Photo caption: Bath Elementary student Ryleigh Murphy (l) visits fellow student Ava Cooper in the hospital. Photo submitted.