Williamson High School Rallies Around Camairus Nicholson With ‘Caps for Cam’ Before Surgery

MOBILE, Ala. — Classmates, teachers and staff at Williamson High School filled the hallways this week to surround sophomore Camairus Nicholson with encouragement as he prepared for brain surgery scheduled for Wednesday. The school’s “Caps for Cam” show of support turned an ordinary school day into a send-off of prayer, cheers and love for one of its own.

Camairus, a football player at the school, was greeted Monday by a crowd of fellow students and school employees who gathered to let him know he would not face the days ahead alone. His pastor said those faces and voices are something the teenager will carry with him into surgery.

A seizure, and a scan that made a difference

The Rev. Leon Bell Jr. of St. Joseph Baptist Church has known Camairus for years and watched him grow up in the congregation.

“A great guy, a great kid. He’s been a part of our church for a number of years now,” Bell said.

Bell said he was stunned when he got a phone call a few weeks ago telling him that Camairus, a healthy and active teen, had suffered a seizure at school.

“When I received the call,” Bell said. “I was in complete shock because, as I mentioned, he’s an active student, fully engaged in football.”

What happened next is something the family now counts as a blessing. Bell credited Williamson’s administrators, and especially the school nurse, for pressing for a brain scan when Camairus was taken to the hospital.

“I’m grateful for the administrative staff, and especially the school nurse at Williamson, who insisted that he have a brain scan when he was taken to the hospital,” Bell said.

That scan found a small tumor at the back of Camairus’ brain. Just weeks after that discovery, he was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.

‘Caps for Cam’

Ahead of the operation, Camairus had to cut his hair. On Tuesday, his school responded by holding “Caps for Cam,” with students and staff wearing hats in his honor. They then lined the halls to cheer him on, pray with him and offer words of encouragement.

Bell acknowledged that a teenager facing something few people his age ever expect to confront will naturally feel afraid. But he said Camairus has been surrounded by faith his whole life, and this week, that circle of support grew even larger.

“It doesn’t take away the nervousness of it, but it lets you know that you’re not in this by yourself,” Bell said.

A message of faith for the family

Bell said his message to Camairus and his loved ones will remain the same once the cheering stops and surgery begins.

“My message to the family is trust Jesus through the process,” Bell said. “I oftentimes say there are a lot of things that happen in life that catches us by surprise, but there’s nothing in our life that catches Him by surprise. And because of that truth, we could always go to Him with our uncertainties, our weariness, and to just put our faith and trust in Him.”

Between his family’s faith, a school standing firmly behind one of its Lions and a church community lifting him up in prayer, Camairus heads into surgery with a great many people hoping the next chapter of his story is one of healing.

How the family is preparing for recovery

Camairus is expected to recover at home after his surgery. His mother, who works with the Mobile Police Department, plans to take time off from her job to care for him.

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills and other costs tied to his care and recovery.

A reminder of the role of school staff

Camairus’ story also highlights the quiet but important work of school nurses and staff members, who are often the first adults on the scene when a student becomes ill during the school day. In this case, Bell said, a nurse’s insistence that a scan be done helped lead to the discovery that is now guiding the teen’s care.

Williamson High School, home of the Lions, is part of the Mobile County Public School System. The outpouring this week showed how a school community can rally around a student and his family during an uncertain time.