Nursery school friends rally for child battling brain tumor Sons of Israel hosts ‘Olivia’s Olympics’ for Manalapan child By clare m. masi Staff Writer JERRY WOLKOWITZ Olivia Zonis, 6, waves a flag during the opening ceremonies at “Olivia’s Olympics,” a special event held at the Congregation Sons of Israel nursery school, Manalapan. MANALAPAN — Olivia Zonis has a lot of friends. They came together for "Olivia’s Olympics" to help Olivia, 6, a pupil at the Clark Mills School, fight her way back to health. They danced. They sang. They made music with their hearts through their little bodies. More than 100 nursery school children came out to the Congregation Sons of Israel nursery school on Feb. 15 to lend their support and their friendship in addition to their tiny bodies as they moved to the rockin’ sounds of Noble Productions with owner and emcee Lonny Narson and sound technician DJ Jay Levine. They came together in an effort to raise funds for Olivia’s treatment and care. According to Olivia’s father, Lon, Olivia has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called a glioma. Zonis said the tumor is entwined around the brain stem which controls all major functions of the nervous system. The location of the tumor makes it impossible for doctors to surgically remove it without possible devastating results. Zonis said Olivia recently underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation in an effort to reduce the size of the tumor and to hopefully halt its progress, thereby producing a remission in Olivia’s body. Zonis said Olivia is aware of her condition and is fighting her battle with incredible strength. "She has a very positive attitude," Zonis said. "I’ve learned so much about faith and strength from her. I’ve learned a lot about life from her. We’re so very proud of her." Olivia’s treatment at Beth Israel Hospital in New York is under the direction of chief pediatric neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Allen. Her radiation treatments are under the direction of Dr. Paul Gliedman at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, also in New York. Olivia has finished her chemotherapy and radiation regimen for now. The family is awaiting an upcoming magnetic reso-nance imagery (MRI) test in March and is hoping it will show a reduction in the size of the tumor. For now they wait. For now they pray. Olivia’s condition is rare and the family is praying that she can soon return to the life she lived before her diagnosis and treatment, a life that included playing soccer, drawing, going to school, playing with her friends, and taking care of her younger sisters, Caroline, 3, and Emily, 21 months. The sparkles on the garments that Olivia wore paled in comparison to the light her smile brought to all who came to help her get better. "Olivia’s Olympics" was the brainchild of Renee Narson, director of the synagogue’s nursery school. Narson said she’s been friends with the Zonis family for more than 20 years. In fact, her son Lonny, the entertainer for the event, and Lon Zonis grew up together. When the director heard about Olivia’s condition she wanted to do whatever she could to help. "We felt with the Winter Olympics starting up it was a good way to combine the feeling of the Olympics and doing something wonderful for another child," Narson said. The director explained that the children in the school do what is called a mitzvah (good deed) once a month. "Olivia is our ‘mitzvah of the month,’ " Narson said. "Olivia’s Olympics" began with Renee Narson leading the children waving American flags and walking into the gymnasium singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off the festivities. Many people would find it difficult to keep 125 nursery school children focused. Not so on this day. Lonny Narson and his sidekick DJ Jay Levine had the audience mesmerized with their charm, wit and music. Contests were next on the agenda as the boys and girls lined up on opposite sides to do imitations of today’s hottest young stars. Girls did their imitation of Britney Spears singing "Oops, I Did It Again." Next it was time for the boys to show their stuff. Tiny versions of the Backstreet Boys sang and moved to tunes like "I Want It That Way." Everyone danced and sang to "All Star" by Smash Mouth, "YMCA" by the Village People and "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men. Sharing the microphone, the entertainers brought the audience into the act and finally brought Olivia up on stage to become the star of her own show. After all the music, the dancing and the crazy antics, gold medals were presented to each of the children for their efforts to sing and dance for their new friend. Joining Olivia at the event were her mother, Anna; her grandmother, Elaine Pollard; and grandparents Gene and Sherry Zonis. Lon’s parents have set up a foundation for their granddaughter. The Olivia Zonis Foundation has been established to help Olivia and her family offset the costs associated with her treatment. Any amount contributed will be appreciated and 100 percent will be donated to Olivia and her family. A dinner-dance is planned locally for Olivia’s benefit on April 20, according to Lonny Narson, who will be providing the music for the event. Tickets for the event may be purchased from Noble Productions by calling (732) 972-6944. In a subsequent conversation, Renee Narson said "Olivia’s Olympics" raised more than $3,000 and expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped. The Zonis family believes Olivia is "unwavering in her resolve and her determination to fight this battle for her life," according to the foundation literature. A quote from the foundation literature aptly stated their philosophy: "We do not believe one must play only the cards one is initially dealt. We believe it is possible to discard the bad ones and draw anew." Contributions may be sent to the Olivia Zonis Foundation, 13 Long Road, Free-hold 07728.