Vespa Riding Cancer Survivor Encourages Healthy, Positive Living
By: Cierra Putman
Updated: October 5, 2012
You can't miss School No. 12 Principal Michele Liguori-Alampi. She's decked out in pink and black astride a pink Vespa.
"It's like wow," teacher Lisa Eckardt-Nevol said. "The pink Vespa is just another piece of her, and who she is. She's not going to let grass grow under her feet."
"It looks pretty nice and cool," Leumel Alfaro, 8, said.
Most student's don't realize the scooter isn't just any pink, but breast cancer awareness pink. They also don't always realize their principal is a breast cancer survivor. Unless they too are touched by cancer.
"I don't have an assembly or something, but ... we've even have some of our parents die of breast cancer," Liguori-Alampi said. "So, I have personal conversations with them."
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. After her diagnosis she underwent chemotherapy and surgery to become cancer free. Since defeating cancer, Liguori-Alampi started working out regularly and eating healthier. The healthy mentality also transferred over to school. She now makes sure kids have more time for recess and more enjoyable workout activities.
"We have Zumba for the kids, we do yoga and we have a real emphasis on exercise," Eckardt-Nevol said.
It's Liguori-Alampi's way of inspiring students to stay healthy and positive. So they can enjoy life's ride.
