Terri L. Rice was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2001. She continued to teach and coach through her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. While juggling these roles, she also continued to be an exemplary mother for her twelve-year old son. Students at Lincoln Junior High school nominated Terri to be a torchbearer because she has inspired them to be their best. However, Terri claims that the students were the people who inspired her "not to quit."