Taking care of family at Oceanside High School

Student Evan Pivnick stood behind a video camera on the Oceanside High School's track, as he taped sophomore David Sheynberg and peered through the monitor. Behind Pivnick, on the football field, kickball games were in full flux. A commentator's deep voice reverberated throughout the field on a clear Friday night as he kept tabs on the games, illuminated by the bright stadium lights, while House of Pain's "Jump Around" and other tunes blared through the speakers. Students in white, red and fluorescent yellow shirts shuffled themselves around the track, as the bleachers teemed with spectators. And while the mood at this event was festive, there was a palpable sense of purpose during it all.

Sheynberg, like hundreds of others, wore a blue shirt that read "Soul Shine — Taking Care of Family" in white letters. As he held the microphone and looked at the camera, he spoke to high school guidance counselor Greg Sloan, who has been away because his son is undergoing cancer treatment. Like many others who lined up near the camera, Sheynberg had supportive words for Sloan.

"I want to wish you all the best — you're in our thoughts and prayers," he said.

  Sheynberg was one of roughly 500 students, faculty, parents and residents who turned out for the Soul Shine fundraiser on June 4 for the Sloan family. Sloan's 2-year-old son, Christian, is undergoing "aggressive" treatment at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., following the removal of a brain tumor. Sloan, who is also a swim coach, and his wife, Kim, are staying by their son's side during his treatment.

The event raised money through raffle tickets, entry fees for kickball teams, t-shirt and food sales and an awareness walk around the track, among other initiatives. It was, students and others said, their way of showing support for a beloved guidance counselor, coach and mentor.

"He's the nicest guy," said senior Victoria Ruocco.

Soul Shine is an initiative that was created at the school about four years ago in response to a staff member who was battling cancer. In the years since, school officials said it has been used as a fundraising vehicle to help other staff members as well students and their families who are going through a crisis. Most recently, when school officials learned that Sloan's son was battling a brain tumor, they used Soul Shine to generate support. Friday's event, which was organized by the student council, means that they are nearing the $20,000 mark.

"We were looking for an outdoor activity that could include as many people as possible," said Julia Nappi, the school's director of student activities.

Students organized 18 kickball teams — which consisted of 10 players — and with $200 entry fees, Nappi and others said it was a great way to raise funds. Additionally, Oceanside and other nearby businesses showed their support by donating raffle prizes, which included Yankee and Mets tickets and golf packages at local country clubs, among other prizes.

"The turnout was great," said Brenda Kleinman, secretary for student activities. "It was a matter of putting everything together for a sick child. And the fact that we know him personally means even more."

Students said that when they learned about Sloan's son, they didn't hesitate to help.

"I was in my English class, and a girl on the swim team was crying," said senior Danielle Rosenberg. "The whole class came out to help when we found out."

Other students echoed those sentiments.

"The first day we learned about it, we put [a kickball] team together," said senior Tara Masterson. "I hope that everything works out and he comes back."

In order to show their support, students in teacher Audrey Miller's film and video production class were on hand to create video messages from students and staff, which will be edited and sent to Sloan during his stay in Memphis.

"By sending a video message to him, it shows that we're with him, that Oceanside is with him," Miller said.

For Pivnick — who volunteered to work the video camera with student Dan Cerney — the initiative resonated on a personal level. "My mom is suffering from ovarian cancer, so, for obvious reasons, it's personal," Pivnick said.

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