MBHS helps Sid celebrate

Trisha Yearwood and Sarah Evans sang “Happy Birthday” to Sid Ortis on a Wednesday morning. The singers were part of an all-star lineup who made videos wishing him a happy 16th birthday that aired on Mountain Brook High School’s morning news broadcast.

Sid, an MBHS sophomore, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in August 2014.  Since then, the community has rallied to lend their support to Sid and his family.

On Sept. 2, the day of his 16th birthday, Sid woke to find a shiny black jeep from his parents and balloons and signs from his friends in the driveway. Those were just the first of many surprises for Sid.  

The high school entrances also were decorated with balloons in Sid’s beloved LSU purple and gold, and a banner greeted Sid as he entered the school. To show their support, the student body dressed in LSU’s colors, filling the halls of the school with purple and gold. 

Instead of the regular morning school broadcast, the high school anchors wished Sid a happy birthday and played a special birthday tribute. Fellow MBHS student Mary Carrington Gullage created a 15-minute video filled with birthday wishes from celebrities including Courtney Cox, Chris Hemsworth, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and the Today show anchors. 

To honor Sid’s devotion to the LSU Tigers, numerous LSU coaches and players also sent their best wishes. The highlight of the video was the gift of sideline passes to the LSU/Alabama football game on Nov. 7. 

“Today has been a day that we will never forget,” Sid’s mother Lynn posted on her Facebook page. “This morning waking up to his room being decorated…to seeing his new car, then going to the high school and seeing all the purple and gold, and this video. That was just amazing. I do not even know how to thank people for caring and loving us.” 

-Submitted by Elizabeth Farrar