The Ave Herald

A half-dozen different bands played in the Ave Maria University student union Sunday night, but the loudest cheers were for seven-year-old Randall Nychyk, who delighted the crowd with renditions of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star  and Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

Randall has been fighting cancer for four years and for the second year in a row, the Ave Maria community turned out for a fundraiser to help the Ft. Myers boy and his family.

"It's very moving for us," said Randall's father, Randy, adding that his son was excited all day about attending.

The event was conceived by AMU student John Jochum(with Randall at left and below right), a guitarist who met Randall last year at a party where his band was performing. His first Rockin' With Randall fundraiser last year was a huge success, and it has become a traditional part of the start of the fall semester at AMU.

The money raised through contributions that filled a guitar case Sunday night and and the sale of refreshments, raffle tickets, t-shirts and other items will help Randall and his family with medical expenses, which include twice-yearly trips to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

Left, Randall and two of his cousins dancing.

Right, Randall strums along next to his father.

Left, with Jax, the AMU mascot.