WHAT IS STRUT WEEK?

Brandi Lovejoy

Brandi Lovejoy and her family are longtime residents of Newcastle. Brandi stays busy by subbing at the High School when necessary as well as volunteering on the wrestling and football booster clubs. She is known around the community as a dedicated mom and servant, rarely meeting a stranger. In the last year, Brandi has been diagnosed with two different types of cancer mainly affecting her thyroid, which has been removed causing hormonal shifts. During her radiation treatments, her family is secluded from her for up to two weeks at a time. Her husband owns a construction company which can sometimes mean healthcare benefits are few and far between. Her nominator hopes that STRUT week funds could help ease any kind of financial burden that she and her family might be experiencing right now.

Marsha Barry

Marsha Barry is the mother of Colby Barry, a class of 2023 Newcastle High School alumni, and Hunter Barry, a current junior at Newcastle High School. Marsha is highly involved in our community, as she is Vice President of the Racer football booster club. Marsha was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2023. Marsha has completed chemotherapy and will soon be moving on to radiation. Marsha traveled to M.D. Anderson in Houston to undergo surgery to have her lymph nodes removed, 11 of which were cancerous. Marsha also has kidney cancer. Marsha will have to travel to Houston after radiation to have the cancerous part of her kidney removed. Marsha has made many trips to Houston and back for appointments, treatments, and surgery. These trips, treatments, and surgeries have been a financial burden for the Barry family. Throughout all of this, Marsha has remained a dedicated Racer football fan. Marsha was determined to attend every football game to cheer on her son, Hunter, and the rest of the team. Marsha also helped with team meals, playoff decorations, goodie bags, travel plans, and all of the other ins and outs of Racer Football. Marsha has also continued to work as a pharmacist throughout her battle with cancer- even when it was recommended she rest. Marsha was and still is determined to win her battle with cancer, and she is absolutely not letting cancer slow her down.