MASSILLON, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio middle school teacher who was severely injured when a rock was dropped from a Pennsylvania highway overpass onto her vehicle was welcomed by excited students as she visited the school for the first time since the accident.

Sharon Budd, 52, was greeted by Edison Middle School students in pink clothing holding “#BuddStrong” posters on Thursday, The Independent in Massillon reported (http://bit.ly/13QONrN ). Budd was driven around the school circle, waving to students and getting hugs and well-wishes from colleagues.

Budd was traveling through Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter in July when the rock crashed through the front window, causing severe injuries to her skull and brain. She returned to Ohio in October after spending three months undergoing surgeries and therapy in Pennsylvania. Four teenagers have been charged in the case.

Students and staff wanted to give Budd a special welcome home of their own, the school’s principal, Diana Kittelberger, said.

Anna Hopple, an eighth grade student at the school, said she was excited to see Budd and wasn’t surprised she was back so soon.

“I had faith in her,” Hopple said.

Budd, a cancer survivor, said seeing her students and colleagues helps her get stronger, but she can’t wait to be back in the classroom.

“I’ll be back,” she said.

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Information from: The Independent, http://www.indeonline.com

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