This November the Physical Education Department and Leaders Club at Sequoyua Middle School joined forces to help a former Sequoya student in their Eighth Annual Turkey Trot.
Over the past eight years, the school has raised over $67,000 dollars which has been donated to various families and organizations in need within the Sachem community.
This year, the Turkey Trot fundraised for former Sequoya student, Paul Di Iorio, who has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. After attending Sequoya, DiIorio went on to Sachem East where he excelled both academically and athletically.
The generous students of Sequoya combined to raise $11,149 dollars, surpassing the Sequoya goal of $10,000. Leading the way with large donations were 6th graders Andrew Oakland ($1,450) and Cara Arbucci ($615).
As a fierce competitor for Sachem East Wrestling, he was a four-year varsity letter winner, team captain, and two-time All-League and All-County selecti0n. He still holds the school record for the most pins in a season with 29. DiIorio graduated in 2008 at the top of his class and completed a biochemistry degree in the honors program at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He is currently living in Manhattan so that he can receive treatment at the Sloane- Kettering Cancer Center.
On Nov. 19, more than 100 students and faculty gathered to show their support for DiIorio by completing the one-mile course at Sequoya. DiIorio and his mother attended the trot to show their gratitude, and they were overwhelmed by the support they received from the Sequoya family.