The Exeter school district hosted its very first Pink Out night on Tuesday, honoring the late mother of one of their own in the process.

The high school volleyball team usually has a breast cancer awareness game, but this year, Stephanie Crumpler, Exeter volleyball coach, saw an opportunity to support one of her players.

“As a senior, I just thought it was a great way to incorporate Malyea [Henderson’s] last year in high school, and the memory of her mom,” Crumpler said.

Henderson, 17-year-old senior and varsity volleyball player at Exeter, lost her mom, Lisa Nicole “Nikki” Henderson to breast cancer on Feb. 19, 2019.

“She was diagnosed in 2017 with stage 4 breast cancer,” Henderson said. “She got diagnosed, went through chemo and radiation, had surgery to remove her left breast, and then for a year and two months, she was cancer free.

“On Nov. 13, 2018, we learned that the cancer was back. She then did more chemo and radiation, but the cancer had spread and was in her lungs.”

Nikki was 37 years old when she passed.

“My sisters and I relied greatly on our grandma during this hard time,” Henderson said. “I was in middle school and involved in sports and just being a kid, but I also faced losing my mother. It was a difficult time.

“I learned to rely on those who were close to me: friends, family, teachers, and coaches.”

Both Henderson’s grandmother and mother worked at the Exeter school district.

“So there, everyone was supportive and would hold fundraisers and show support for my family through the battle my mother was going through,” she said. “It showed us that this school and everyone in it was like family, and we could lean on them when needed.”

Henderson said her mom was a very happy person who had her own sense of humor, and she was supportive.

“[Through this, I learned cancer] is a very fast, aggressive disease,” Henderson said. “It took all the energy my mother had to fight her fight. Surviving this disease is very hard, but it is possible with the right doctors and early treatment.”

Nikki left behind a husband and five daughters, and many other friends and family members.

According to her obituary, Nikki Henderson attended Cassville High School and will always be remembered by her contagious smile and living life to the fullest. She worked in the cafeteria at Exeter schools, where she always went out of her way to make kids smile.

“Cherish every little thing,” Malyea Henderson said. “Don’t take the little things for granted.”

Henderson that is one of the life lessons she learned through her mother’s breast cancer journey.

Crumpler said even though this is the first Pink Out night, there may be more to come.

“We will play It by ear,” she said. “Season by season, I always talk to the girls and see what’s going on since they are the ones involved in the different projects and so on.”

To Henderson, the Exeter Pink Out night has significant meaning.

“The year my mom’s cancer returned and she passed away, most of these girls played with me during middle school volleyball,” she said. “They rallied behind me and showed support for my mom. They helped me get through a very tough time.

“We even had headbands made that said, ‘We play for Nikki.’ Now, as a team again, we are raising money and showing support for an organization that helps many people. I find it fitting how they started this journey with me, and here during my senior year, they are all still for me and honoring my mom.”

Malyea Henderson plans to attend cosmetology school after graduation.