By Andy Loigu

Former Hackettstown student and current Millburn Middle School eighth-grade math teacher Stephanie Sorrentino (formerly Cucinella) is battling cancer. The sports community of the Hackettstown and Millburn areas is rallying their forces to aid her and her family in this challenging time.

The Mount Olive, Hopatcong and Hackettstown (MoHoHa) ice hockey players (a squad consisting of players from three high schools) are teaming up with the Millburn team, and have requested and obtained sponsorships from generous area residents, but more still needs to be done.

Appropriate T-shirts will be sold, as a fundraiser, at the teams’ game at 7:45 p.m. on January 27 at  Codey Arena, which is located in front of Turtle Back Zoo in the South Mountain Recreation Complex. The arena’s address is 560 Northfield Ave., in West Orange.

“We are collecting donations for her and her family,” said MoHoHa coach Ryan Tatarka, “to provide them with every penny we earn. Thank you all so much in advance for your support.”

Checks payable to the MOHS Booster Club may be sent for her support to PO Box 648, Flanders, NJ, 07836.

Stephanie recently was the guest of honor at the Hackettstown/Millburn volleyball game.

She was diagnosed with Stage IIA breast cancer last spring, after spotting a mass during a self-exam. Keeping a positive outlook, she said that since she is young (in her 20s) her body has tolerated chemotherapy well.