With Exeter High School Club, Hospitalized Children Keep Smiling

EXETER, NH — At Exeter High School, the Derek's Smile club is continuing to bring joy to children who are hospitalized. The club is named after late Exeter High School junior Derek Hoyt, who died in spring 2016 from a brain tumor after his third battle with cancer, according to SAU 16. Derek's sister Ashley created the club the following fall, and three years later it is still making a difference.

Although all students who would have known Derek have graduated Exeter High School since his death, and Ashley graduated in 2018, the club has continued to live on in his memory. This past school year, about 12 students participated in the group, with many being freshmen, according to SAU 16.

"This year was our first without Derek’s sister being here to lead the group," said Christine Leach, a school counselor at Exeter High School and adviser to the group."There are no longer any students here who went to school with Derek, and it was a fear of mine that the group would fizzle out after his sister graduated. I am pleased to say that we have grown this year."

As part of the club, students raised funds for team "Derek's Smile" in the Jimmy Fund 13.1-mile walk in Boston in September 2018. Team members included Leach, her husband David Leach and special education teacher and case manager Lisha Rowe. The team raised more than $2,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, according to SAU 16.

For the 2019 Jimmy Fund 13.1-mile walk this September, the team has already surpassed its goal of raising $1,500. Donations continue to be accepted. This past school year, the Derek's Smile also organized and oversaw a pretzel raffle, card drive, talent show and basket raffle, and received a donation from the Newfield's 5K.

As a result of the club's initiatives, students from Exeter High School sent more than a thousand cards to hospitalized children this past year, according to SAU 16. The club also gave $500 donations to Saint Jude's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital and Shriner's Hospitals for Children.

"It has been incredible to see students in the club become so invested in community service and bringing moments of happiness to children who are suffering," said Leach. "This club has a wonderful mission, and is a tremendous tribute to Derek and the moments of happiness that meant so much to him and those who knew him."