KINGSTON, Pa. - There's a brand new high school graduate in Luzerne County who is grateful not only for her diploma, but for her life.
There was a time when Taylor Thoryk didn't think she would make it this far. In October of 2013, the active high school soccer player at Wyoming Valley West was diagnosed with Leukemia. Thoryk was in the hospital until March of last year with her family always by her side.
"It was rough," her father, William Thoryk said. "She had reactions to the chemo. It was, it was tough, her first treatment, we didn't know then. It was hard, just watching her go through the process, her fighting, watching her tears. I'm just glad it's over."
During her treatment and then recovery, the teen cancer survivor said her community rallied around her-- offering cards, fundraisers, and more in support of her battle. Now, after working on school work in the hospital and at home, she reached the moment everyone was waiting for.
"It's like a new chapter of my life that is able to begin without me being sick," Thoryk said.
She believes cancer has changed her life for the better.
Taylor says she will be attending Luzerne County Community College where she will study for a degree in early childhood education.