Trophies, photos and dozens of scrapbooks adorn Jessica Sabol's bedroom, marking milestones, fun moments and youthful remembrances. With a big grin and sparkling eyes, Jessica, 18, is an 'All-American girl,' graduating with top honors and dozens of accolades this spring from Ringgold High School. She was also recruited by 11 state and national colleges for her abilty to play volleyball. That, impressive as it is, is not the most amazing thing about Jessica. While few may realize it, she also is a cancer survivor. 'Unless I tell someone, no one knows about it,' says Jessica, who lives with her parents on Highland Road in Carroll Township. While Jessica is modest about her fight for life and the obstacles she has faced, her parents, Tom and Deborah, proudly remember how diligently she battled leukemia. Always an active, energetic child, Jessica often played with friends. At age 5, she fell while playing and required stitches for a cut. She also emerged from the accident with bruises across her body. It sent a troublesome warning signal to doctors. Within a day, the Sabols went from raising a healthy, vibrant little girl to a life filled with fear. Jessica was diagnosed with leukemia. 'Even after all these years, I can still remember how devastated we were,' recalls Deborah Sabol, who works as a guidance counselor in the Bethlehem-Center School District. But there was a blessing attached to Jessica's unfortunate fall, as doctors were able to prescribe chemotherapy treatments early in her illness. As she was subjected to the life-saving therapy, Jessica overcame infections and a dangerous bout with chicken pox. She also had to take steroids, which greatly affected her motor abilities. 'She went from playing sports of all kinds to needing carried up the steps,' said Tom Sabol, who works as the food director at Trinity High School. As they reflect upon those tumultuous times, the loving parents' eyes well with tears. 'I would tell her she's my hero, because she would go for another spinal tap like she didn't have a fear in the world,' said her dad. 'We would buy her ball caps and bandannas, but she would walk around with no hair, she didn't mind,' added her mother. Jessica underwent a bone marrow extract and a several more years of chemotherapy. Throughtout her trial, Jessica remained in the gifted program at Monongahela Elementary Center. By the time she entered fifth grade, she was back to doing what she loved most - participating in sports. And even more importantly, the deadly cancer was in remission, enough so that Jessica is considered to be a cancer survivor. Her parents said they remained cautious and 'over protective' of their daughter over the years, but still gave her the freedom to explore her love for softball, basketball and volleyball. 'It was tough letting her go, but we had to,' Deborah Sabol said. Throughout high school, she played volleyball, softball, competed on a Junior Olympic Volleyball team in Pittsburgh and was involved in many school organizations. She also found time to volunteer more than 250 hours to the Monongahela Valley Hospital regional cancer center. 'I didn't work with patients one-on-one, but when I did meet someone with cancer, I would tell them that I'm a cancer survivor,' said Jessica. 'I tried to lift their spirits.' During her years on the junior olympic volleyball team, her parents traveled with her all across the country for matches. It was during these competitions that her skills were noticed, and Jessica was recruited by 11 top colleges across the country, including the University of Maine, Bucknell ,and Davis & Elkins. 'I'm only 5-foot 4-inches (tall), so I had a lot more to prove as I am shorter than most volleyball players,' Jessica said. She chose Washington & Jefferson College, where she received a presidential academic scholarship. She also plans to play volleyball. 'I love volleyball, but academics are more important to me,' she stressed. Jessica will major in the prehealth program, and focus on the study of oncology and cancer treatment. 'What I went through changed my life and I want to help little kids that were like me,' she said. Jessica is the granddaughter of Frank and Esther Saroglia of Monongahela, Joe Sabol of Donora and the late Betty Sabol. As she prepares to leave home, her parents are proud and filled with emotion. 'To think back over all she went through and to see what she has accomplished ... I'm just so proud,' said her mother as she wiped away tears. Jessica, smiling and struggling to hold back her own tear, says she's ready to embrace her future. And thanks to the cooincidence of an early-life stumble, the life that awaits her appears to be a happy one.

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