""I had Dennen as a student from sixth through eighth grade, and during that time, I found out he had leukemia," Davis recalled. "There were times when he couldn't participate or missed a lot of school. But when he was able to join in, he was all in - gung-ho, giving everything he had.""
""He wasn't big in stature, but his personality was huge," Davis said. "He had this bright smile, and when he wasn't going through pain, you'd never know he was sick. He was just a breath of fresh air. Everybody loved him.""
""This space is more than just a building; it's a home where our students can thrive, learn, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow," said Principal Stephanie Blieka at the school's ribbon-cutting ceremony last fall."
Achievement First Linden Middle will host the First Annual Dennen Acosta-Lopez Memorial Classic, a two-day basketball tournament on November 14-15 to celebrate Dennen's life and spirit. The event will feature four teams and will direct a portion of proceeds to the V Foundation for Cancer Research to support childhood cancer efforts. Athletic Director and Head Coach Merrill Davis remembered Dennen's resilience, enthusiasm, and large personality despite his illness. The tournament will take place in the Linden Middle School campus, a recently opened 42,000-square-foot, four-story facility with a varsity-sized gymnasium and modern learning spaces.
Read at Brooklyn Paper
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