A group of students at Bethlehem Central Middle School had been looking for a way to pay tribute to fifth grade teacher Mrs. Christine Porter, who passed away Sunday, November 12 after a four-month battle with brain cancer. With some help from School Counselor Chynna Marcucci, the students have been hard at work making pink-and-gray ribbons as part of an awareness effort and remembrance they are calling “Peace for Porter.”

Porter had worked for the district for 20 years, at both Eagle Elementary School and Glenmont School. Many of Mrs. Porter’s students from Eagle currently attend the middle school.

“These students wanted to memorialize Mrs. Porter in some way,” said Ms. Marcucci. “They came to me with this idea to raise awareness of brain cancer with the gray ribbons and to show their support for Mrs. Porter, her family, and the causes she cared about.”

The group will be selling the ribbons for $1 at the school on Friday, November 17. All proceeds from the ribbon sales will be donated to the Bethlehem Music Association and the International Rescue Committee, organizations chosen by Mrs. Porter’s family to honor her memory. 

Calling hours for Mrs. Porter will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 16 and a memorial service is planned for Saturday, November 25. Information and details can be found here.