Michael T. Mondak speaks: Small Battles, Big Victories Chapter 11: Cassie's Tenth Birthday Surprises

The most recent post talked about how Jackson Pryts and the Nittany Lions defeated Notre Dame at Jerry World to win the national championship, a moment Cassie saw in person.  This post talks about Cassie being declared cancer free in time for her tenth birthday, where she would be surprised by Jackson and the stately Nittany Lion mascot.

The winter chill had melted away in western Pennsylvania, and for the first time in nearly a year, the Day family home felt whole again.  It had been nearly two months since Jackson and the Nittany Lions carried her to the national championship at Jerry World in Texas.

Just weeks before her tenth birthday, Cassie Day received the news everyone had been praying for — she was cancer free.

Doctors at Sharon Regional Medical Center declared it official after her latest scans came back clear. The staff cheered. Her parents cried. Cassie just smiled softly and whispered the words that had carried her through the hardest days:

“Small battles… big victories.”

By early March, Cassie was home again. Her room looked almost exactly as she left it — except now, the walls were filled with cards from nurses, teammates of Jackson Pryts, and classmates from Ionta Elementary.

Her parents told her there would be a small birthday celebration. But Cassie didn’t realize how special that day would become.

On the morning of March 8, sunlight streamed through her window as she came downstairs to find blue and white streamers hung across the living room. A Penn State tablecloth stretched across the dining table, and the scent of her favorite chocolate cake filled the air.  Little did she realize there was a knock on her front door.

Her mom Brittany smiled.

“You might want to see who’s at the door, birthday girl.”

Cassie ran to open it — and froze.

There, standing on the porch, was Jackson Pryts, holding a bunch of blue and white balloons. Next to him was the stately Nittany Lion mascot, holding a small wrapped box.

“JACKSON!” Cassie exclaimed.

“Happy birthday, Cassie!” Jackson called out, laughing as she squealed with joy.  He gave her a big birthday bear hug.

“What are you doing here?” exclaimed Cassie.

“I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world,” replied Jackson.

He stepped inside and handed her the balloons.

“I thought you might like these — blue for Penn State, white for your courage.”

She hugged them tight, beaming.

“They’re perfect.”

The Nittany Lion placed the box in her hands. Inside was a silver national championship ring engraved with a lion paw print and the words “We Are.”

“It’s from all of us,” Jackson said softly. “You’re part of this family now.”

The party was simple but full of heart — neighborhood kids, laughter, and the kind of happiness that comes from second chances.

As the afternoon sun faded, Cassie tied a few of her balloons to her bedpost — a quiet reminder of the long road she’d conquered.

“I’m keeping these,” she said.

“Good,” Jackson replied. “They’re your victory balloons.”

That night, after everyone had gone home, Cassie sat on her bed, her balloons floating gently above her. She gazed at the ring on her finger and whispered a promise to herself —

“I’ll make them proud.”

Outside, the stars glimmered over the Shenango Valley — silent witnesses to a battle won and a future just beginning.