DOVER, Pa. -- The 6th annual Relay for Life at Dover Area Elementary School had a special meaning for the students.
Second grade student Ryan Arevalo surprised his classmates by attending the relay festivities. The eight-year-old has been out of school because he has been battling cancer.
Arevalo just wrapped up his final treatment, and his mother says he is looking forward to being back in the classroom with his fellow students.
"I'm glad that he's getting to come back and do things with his school, because he should be starting school next year," says Amy Arevalo. "I want him to feel welcomed. He may look different, but he's still the same kid at heart."
As part of this year's Relay for Life, Ryan and school principal Steven Walker dressed up as SpongeBob Squarepants, the popular cartoon character. Principal Walker told the students he would wear the costume if they raised $1,500. They smashed that goal, bringing in $2,529.