There may not be another person who has captivated the Lenape High School community more the past few years than Steven Eric Eberling.
Known to most as Ebo Eberling, the former Lenape student was diagnosed with bone cancer as a sophomore. His drive to beat the cancer inspired students and staff alike at Lenape for nearly three years. Ebo passed away on Dec. 25, 2013, at the age of 17.
Almost one year after his passing, his family appeared before the Lenape Regional High School District and dozens of students and parents from Lenape High School simply to say thanks.
Ebo’s father, Steven, offered his thanks on behalf of his family at last week’s LRHSD board of education meeting. Steven came to the meeting with his wife Gini and sons Bill and Andrew. Bill is a junior at Lenape, while Andrew is in seventh grade and will attend Lenape in a couple of years.
Steven described how difficult some of the days were, especially in Ebo’s last few months where he had to go to Germany to receive treatment. In every step of the way, he said the Lenape community was there.
“Through all of that time, we’ve had a lot of support,” Steven said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am to live in Mt. Laurel and have my kids go to Lenape.”
The Lenape community united in support of Ebo in many ways. Last November, the Lenape High Hero Club raised money to arrange for Ebo to meet his favorite singer, Steve Aoki.
Steven said the entire student body made Ebo feel a part of the community even when he was away from school.
“He would be at events like the homecoming dance through FaceTime,” Steven said. “Or they would FaceTime him at the football game. He was there, even though he wasn’t there.”
After Ebo’s passing, Steven said the Lenape community has continued to be supportive of the family. The school had a tree planted in Ebo’s memory earlier this year. In addition, Ebo was honored as a member of the class of 2014 during graduation in June.
Much of what captivated the Lenape and Mt. Laurel community was Ebo’s resilience during his battle with cancer. Ebo was a talented athlete, playing both ice hockey and baseball. After he had surgery to remove part of his leg bone, he was told he would not be able to play sports again. Ebo overcame this, getting back on the hockey rink and coaching a youth hockey club with Team Comcast, who Steven said is retiring Ebo’s old hockey number, 24.
“He was told he would never walk again,” Steven said. “And then he went out and skated again and coached.”
Even after Ebo’s cancer returned, he remained optimistic, which Steven said was what captured the entire community.
The family gave a lot of credit to Lenape High School principal Tony Cattani with being an incredible support throughout the past four years. To thank him, the Eberlings gave Cattani a plaque with Ebo’s picture. Included on the plaque was a tweet Ebo sent out on Thanksgiving of 2013: “There is just too much to be thankful for today. There is no possible way I can put it in 140 characters.”
Cattani, emotional upon receiving the gift, said the Lenape community will always embrace the Eberling family. He said the school will also be involved with the Ebo Strong Foundation, a nonprofit created in Ebo’s memory.
“We will always support you,” Cattani said.
