A year ago, Christine Terlesky went to school everyday as a teacher at Boardman High School. She also served the system as a middle school basketball coach and was head coach of the varsity girls golf team; in addition to her duties as a mother of three, small children.
      Christine is a graduate of Boardman High School where she starred on the hardwoods for the Lady Spartans under the direction of her dad and head coach, Ron Moschella, who guided Boardman hoop fortunes for three decades. Christine went on to play for Youngstown State University under Head Coach Ed DiGregorio.
      After graduating from YSU, she began her teaching career in 1997 with the Boardman Local Schools. In addition to her teaching duties, she then began her coaching career, first serving as an assistant basketball coach and an assistant track coach. And at the same time, she began working on her masters degree, earning that in 1999 from Westminster College.
      Last season, Christine served as eighth grade Center Middle hoop coach, as well as varsity golf coach.
      “Those kids, teaching and coaching, and her family, really have kept her going,” her dad said this week.
      Christine and her husband, Brian, learned last year that life was going to be different for the couple. Christine was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The progressive disease attacks nerves and muscles. It has affected Christine to date, as she now uses a cane to help her walk.
      For a family who has given to Boardman in many different ways, for many years, the Boardman community and her fellow teachers in the Boardman Local Schools are giving to Christine and her family.
      On Sun., Apr. 6, from noon to 6:00 p.m., a Chip In For Chris spaghetti dinner will be held at the Boardman High School cafeteria.
      Helping to organize the event is Brad Calhoun, a Boardman Township Trustee and also a teacher at Center Middle School.
      “Christine and her family will be challenged by various obstacles over the weeks to come. Our goal is to help defray current and future medical costs as she may participate in clinical trials outside of the United States,” Calhoun said this week.
      “Such clinical trials have demonstrated success with individuals with a similar diagnosis. We seek to bring the same success to Christine,” Calhoun added, noting upwards of 2000 tickets will be sold for the dinner.
      “We hope to bring everyone together as a community to help and cheer on Christine and her family and they begin this journey,” Calhoun said.
      “We have hope,” Christine’s father said this week, noting an issue with Lou Gehrig’s Disease is “we just don’t know how fast it can progress.
      “Christine has a great attitude, but we may have to go overseas to try and get help.”
      ‘Coach Mosh’ said since being diagnosed, Christine has visited John Hopkins and medical facility in Michigan, with planned visits to specialists in Arizona and Massachusetts.
      There are also renowned experts outside of the United States, particularly Israel and Italy.
      But Coach Mosh, usually a man with many words, didn’t really know what to say as his family faces its current challenge.
      “We’re going to do our best to fight this,” Moschella said.
      Tickets for the fund-raiser on Apr. 6 are just $7 each and can be obtained by calling Saunni Russo, 330-501-7576, or Debbie Mook, 330-507-7177; or at the offices of The Boardman News, 8302 Southern Blvd. (330-758-6397).
      Donations can also be made by sending checks payable to Chip In For Chris, 422 Jaronte Dr., Boardman, Oh., 44512.