Students slowly begin gathering around the cafeteria doors with a hesitant curiosity, waiting in anticipation as cheerleaders wave their pom-poms in excitement. The crowd slowly thickens, their necks strained forward. Sirens approach the school and the enthusiasm builds. As the doors open, the crowd erupts in applause and elation, students strewn throughout the room climb on top of cafeteria tables in attempt to get a better view.

Middletown High School graduate T.J. Rufty was greeted with a celebration to welcome him home on March 14 in the MHS cafeteria. After spending nine months hospitalized with a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma, Rufty was finally released to the care of his parents on March 3.

Although the odds were against him, Rufty made an astonishing recovery and overcame most of the destructive side effects of his treatment.

“When we went to visit him, he said he couldn’t wait to come home and see everybody and kept talking about all the stuff he wanted to do,” said MHS senior Mitch Sgrignoli. “He was really excited to be home and get back to his normal life.”

Although Rufty is still unable to walk on his own and has suffered hearing loss, many members of the Middletown community have looked to Rufty’s recovery as an inspiration.

“It shows Middletown pride because we’ve always been known for working hard and fighting through things just like Rufty fought through his struggles and it’s pretty cool to see him fight through that,” said MHS senior Frankie Meighan.

Sgrignoli, Meighan and fellow MHS senior teammate Ricky Leonard presented Rufty with the State Championship football while he was still in rehab.

“He’s already got a place for that game ball at home. That was the first thing he brought back with him; he really loves that ball,” said Rufty’s mother, Debbie Habberkorn.

“That was the best gift our team could give him and we just wanted to give him something special,” said Sgrignoli.

During his time spent in the hospital, Rufty would often keep himself occupied with Middletown football by staying updated and watching games online every weekend. Sgrignoli described the team’s decision to give Rufty the game ball as “a way for us to show that we were still thinking about him and that he deserves it.”

“I think when you are in this serious of a situation where you’re battling something this serious in nature, anytime that people go out of their way to provide something for you it means a lot. It boosts your spirits to know that you’re not fighting this alone and that people really care,” said MHS Principal Denise Fargo-Devine.

Rufty’s family and friends both agree that it was his own positivity that made it possible for him to overcome his illness as well as the vicious side effects of his treatment.

“His sense of humor definitely didn’t leave,” said Meighan.

“His positivity is what made it possible for us to survive this,” added Habberkorn.

After months of fundraising and support efforts towards Rufty’s benefit, the community has welcomed him back with eager and open arms.

Along with a strong moral support, Rufty has had an incredible amount of financial support the community put forth without any hesitation. Brock Merwin of Remsburg Paving described the support as “phenomenal.”

“Oh, I think it’s exciting!” said Fargo-Devine.