Most students, teachers, and coaches on Mandarin High’s
campus are aware that our principal was diagnosed with breast cancer at the
beginning of the New Year.
Dr. Richardson was on her way to the first principal
meeting of 2011, when she got a call from her doctor. It was THE call.
Dr. Richardson said, “I had gone in for my yearly
mammogram, and when I was on my way to the meeting, I got a call from my
doctor and he said ‘…by the way you have cancer.’”
Dr. Richardson certainly did not let the cancer slow
her down. When she was not getting chemotherapy, she was keeping busy at
Mandarin.
“I have a strong administrative staff and team that
helped and supported me,” said Dr. Richardson.
The only reminder she has of the cancer is the pill
that she is required to take once a day for the next five years.
“The smiles of the students and staff members turned
something really ugly, into something OK,” said Dr. Richardson. “I didn’t
let it beat me!”
