It is hard to find teenagers in today's culture that don't only care about their image, the next notification blowing up their latest generation smart phone, their fleeting relationship status and other narcissistic traits that flood their worldview and drown any feelings of humility and unconditional love.
However, on Friday I found a whole gym full at Canon McMillan High School who disproved the usual stereotype of their generation.
They are decked out in blue and gold. They put their hands in with players during coach's timeout huddles. They howl when the hoop swishes.
They are the Canon Crazies.
But they give the school spirit because senior Luke Blanock gave it to them tenfold.
I've never seen a high school so motivated by one student's positive attitude. This kid constantly laughs in his diagnosis' face, smiling and high-fiving his friends inside the locker room and out.
Photographing many high school sporting events, I admit, strengthens my aforementioned prejudice of American teenagers. Though, with a strong defense, Luke is not only the epitome of a role model for his sport, school, and diagnosis, but he truly leads an entire generation as well.
I'm so thankful I met him and documented his remarkable comeback.
Senior Luke Blanock, center left, recites the Lord's Prayer with his teammates before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, warms up before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock listens to head coach Rick Bell in the give an inspiration talk in locker room before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, gathers with his team in the locker room before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, left, ties his basketball shoes before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, waits in a hallway before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center left, waits in a hallway before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock (15) meets with the captains, coaches and officials before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, receives a pep talk from his friend Alex Hammers before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock prepares before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Head coach Rick Bell welcomes starter Luke Blanock, who is battling Ewing's sarcoma, on his first career varsity start one year after learning of his cancer diagnosis on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock laughs with his friends during the national anthem before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock bows his head while listening to the national anthem before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, fourth from left, takes part in a pre-game chant with his team before his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, gathers with his team in a timeout during his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center top, reacts as he drains his first points, a three-pointer, during his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center top, reacts as he drains his first points, a three-pointer, during his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, right, reacts to a teammate's basket during his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.
Senior Luke Blanock, center, is congratulated by coach Scott Drakeley after his first career varsity start one year after he first learned of his cancer diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at Canon-McMillan High School. The Big Macs won 77-31 over Burgettstown.