Centennial Hills teens fight odds to contribute to their communities

Two Centennial Hills teens have faced odds and medical ultimatums most may never know.

They also decided to use their trials, tribulations and triumphs to help others.

Justin Williams

When he was younger, Justin Williams was known as "Lil' Shaq " on the basketball court.

He was tall for his age and patterned his game after his idol, Shaquille O'Neal .

Williams, 16 , is on a quest to return to his baller days and put cancer in his rear view.

The Rancho High School student was diagnosed with bone cancer, or osteosarcoma , in December 2008 and started chemotherapy on his 14th birthday that month.

He had 11 surgeries, and his most notable procedure to date was to remove his left femur bone, where a tumor grew, his mother Yvonne Williams said. The teen has been on crutches for three years.

"The crutches are a daily reminder of his cancer," she said.

Chemotherapy left Williams with a heart condition and hearing loss, too.

"Simple tasks change," he said.

Doctors struggled to salvage his leg, but surgeries and physical therapy didn't rehabilitate it enough or combat nerve damage, Yvonne Williams said.

"He went through a lot," she said. "It was constant disappointment. We've left a lot of appointments crying."

An end to the struggles may be near, the family and doctors hope.

Williams is scheduled to have amputation surgery next month and explore the best prosthetic for his 6-foot frame. The decision was well thought out by the family.

"We want to get back to normal," she said. "I still don't know how I'll react when he first walks again."

The Williams family also hopes the surgery and artificial limb are the end to a tumultuous few years. Charles and Yvonne Williams foreclosed on their Centennial Hills home, and she lost her job with the school district. Medical expenses and "endless copays," Yvonne Williams said, added up, too. Family vacations were swapped for medical visits to California.

"It's been stressful," she said.

The lowest lows have their highest highs, too, Yvonne Williams said.

Justin Williams keeps a good grade point average and likes to play guitar, hang out with his cousins and write.

He was named the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation 's Education Services Student of the Year in 2010. He is enrolled in his high school's medical magnet program and aspires to be an osteopathic surgeon.

Williams said he also looks forward to returning to the basketball court and redeeming his "Lil' Shaq" nickname.

"He continues to fight and stand up for wanting a life again," Yvonne Williams said. "I think his story could empower many."

For more information about Williams' journey, email ywilli610@hotmail.com .

Mariah Sachse

After her first time on a pageant stage, 14-year-old Centennial Hills resident Mariah Sachse became a decorated title winner with a mission.

The Connections Academy freshman was a finalist in the 2012 Miss Nevada Junior Teen Pageant , a National American Miss pageant in which contestants are judged equally on their personal introduction, formal wear poise and appearance and communication skills and additionally on community involvement.

"It's not a traditional pageant," her father Robert Parker said. "There is no swimsuit portion or anything. It's more about personal skills and community involvement. That made us feel better."

It was the teen's first pageant experience, and she brought home titles of Miss Top Model and Miss Photogenic, Spirit of America and Outstanding Community Service .

Her highest honor, Mariah said, was being crowned National American Miss Nevada State Ambassador , through which her platform will be raising awareness for the nonprofit Cure 4 the Kids Foundation .

Mariah and her family, which includes parents Robert and Jill Parker and two brothers, have been assisted by the organization as Mariah battles multiple conditions, including Celiac disease, an autoimmune thyroid disease; osteopenia; iron anemia; irregular heartbeat; and Crohn's disease.

The teen almost couldn't attend the pageant because of complications from a regular iron infusion she received that morning, Mariah said.

"I woke up with the IV still in my arm, and I didn't want to go," she said. "But at the last minute, I decided to go, and I'm happy I did. Nobody even noticed it."

Mariah was nominated to participate in the pageant by an anonymous person.

"My gut reaction when we got the letter was I wasn't sure I wanted to share it with her," Jill Parker said. "I didn't want to add any more stress."

Mariah faces constant reminders of her diseases and conditions. She must avoid gluten, which is found in many foods, hygiene products and cosmetics. It is also found in some paper plates and towels.

"If I'm invited to a birthday party, I couldn't eat their cake and pizza," Mariah said.

"She had to leave her own birthday party early, too," her mother added, " because we couldn't bring outside food."

But Mariah is also a normal teen devoted to her "mini zoo," as she calls it, of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds and fish. Her favorite color is yellow. She balances online courses with hanging out with family and friends.

Mariah secured fundraising dollars and community sponsors for her pageant and already has started to spread the word about Cure 4 the Kids Foundation , she said. She also created YouTube videos about the foundation with her brothers.

She is slated to participate in the national competition in November in Anaheim, Calif .

"We've seen her grow as a person," Jill Parker said. "She's outgoing at home but shy in public. This whole experience has made her personable."

For more information, email jillautumn@gmail.com or call 606-1742.