Watch the Moment This Principal Finds Out Her Students Are Donating Their Senior Trip Money to Her Cancer Treatment

Courtney Vashaw from Bethlehem, New Hampshire is overcome with emotion when the graduating class reveals their gesture to her

By Jenna Mullins May 28, 2015 9:25 PMTags
Principal Battling Cancer YouTube

Best. Senior. "Prank." Ever.

High school students from Profile Junior-Senior High School in Bethlehem, New Hampshire surprised their principal with a gift of a lifetime: they used the money they had saved for their senior class trip and donated it to her. Why does she need the money?

Because Courtney Vashaw was recently diagnosed with cancer, and when the students found out about her illness, they decided the money that was supposed to be used for a four-day trip to Rydin' Hi Ranch in New York would be better spent on something much more important.

The graduating class spent their four years of high school saving up for the trip and had almost $8,000 at their disposal, but when they heard that their principal was battling an aggressive and rare form of cancer, the class took a vote and it was unanimous to give their money to Vashaw.

"Every one of us has a connection with her, and she has given so much to us that we just wanted to give back," Christopher Sirois, senior class president, told WMUR.

If you don't already have goosebumps, don't worry. We're about to change that. There is video of the emotional moment Vashaw finds out that this group of teenagers are willingly giving up their senior class trip so they can donate their money to her medical care.

At first, their beloved principal shakes her head in disbelief, but then the waterworks start and just 30 seconds in we're already crying right alongside her. Who is chopping onions near us?!

"It is very hard for me to accept help," she says to her students in the video, clearly overwhelmed and near-speechless by the gesture. "And I have no idea what to say to you."

You might not know what to say to these amazing students, but we do: Thank you for your generous spirit and for setting an amazing example for your generation. 

The students also said they plan to raise more money for their principal as she continues her treatment. We wish her the best and hope for a speedy recovery!