High School Honors the Life, Spirit of Kevin Cordasco

In honor of Kevin Cordasco, the beloved Calabasas student who passed away March 11 at the age of 16 following a long battle with neuroblastoma, the annual Calabasas High March Madness student verses staff basketball game was renamed "Kevin Cardasco: 'Strength, Courage, Believe' Staff vs. Students Basketball Game."

"It's amazing; the love," Melody Cordasco said tearfully before the game began Thursday afternoon. "He touched so many lives."

Kevin's father, Kevin Sr., and his younger brother, Cade, who attends A.C. Stelle Middle School, also played in the game.

"Because we lost a very dear student, and in honor of his family, we decided to do this," said Todd Schroeder, assistant principal. "Strength, courage, believe was Kevin's mantra ... we also created a perpetual trophy; this is Kevin's trophy and he will forever be a member of the pack at this high school."

The associate student body (ASB) class wanted to do this, Schroeder said.

"We sat down and discussed what we could do to comfort the family and decided that this is what the school could do now that would be carried on for generations," Schroeder said.

According to friends and family, Kevin always remained upbeat and positive in the face of his struggle.

"Kevin was a cancer awareness advocate, so the students around him also became aware of the fight against cancer. He touched thousands of lives," said Schroeder.

Kevin's longtime friend Kenny Aronson said that the high school's actions meant a lot to him personally.

"Just the fact that they would change the name ... I know it would mean a lot to [Kevin]."