ohs-pep-rally-parker-np3_6025

burdellCarly Parker and her family, top, and Lexi Burdell and her family, bottom, are pictured during their recognition at Opelika High’s pep rally this afternoon.

Photos by Robert Noles

By Morgan Bryce

Staff Reporter

Because September is Cancer Awareness Month, Opelika High School decided to honor two of its own fighting the disease, Carly Parker and Lexi Burdell, during this afternoon’s pep rally.

Moments after the Opelika’s player of the week awards were given out, the Parker and Burdell families were invited onto the basketball court, and the entire crowd stood and recognized the two girls while the Rascal Flatts’ song “Stand” played.

Following the playing of the song, they and their families received a standing ovation.

Parker said she was surprised when she was told by her parents that they were taking her to this afternoon’s pep rally.

“I was kind of surprised that they would me drag me out of the house to come to the pep rally. I was intimidated being out there, but I was very touched,” Parker said.

Burdell said she was nervous, because she had not previously announced publicly that she was dealing with cancer.

“I was very nervous, because not a whole lot of people knew I had cancer, so this was like everybody finding out. I’m so glad that I have a group of people here who support me … and I believe having their support will help me during the upcoming months,” Burdell said.