Hillcrest High raises money to grant wishes

Hillcrest High student leaders inspired their classmates to raise thousands of dollars so children could have their wishes, from meeting the Jonas Brothers to owning an ATV, granted.

“We want to raise $50,000, so 10 kids can get a wish through the Make-a-Wish foundation,” history teacher and student government adviser Kami Tressler said. “We selected $50,000 to tie into our school’s 50^th anniversary.”

At the end of their month-long campaign, students raised enough funds to grant three children — two boys and one girl —  their wishes, Hillcrest history teacher and student government adviser Kami Tressler said.  A final dollar amount was unavailable at press time.

In November, students began fundraising through donations of former and current students and community members. They hosted a game night with cards, chess, Play Station, Wii and other games. About $400 was raised.

Senior class president Jack Vawdrey shaved his head, raising another $400. An additional $400 was raised through a holiday benefit concert featuring performances from alumni and students, including the alumni group, “The Blend.” The school also hosted a “Chick-fil-A Spirit Night,” in which Chick-fil-A donated 20 percent of the proceeds to their Make-a-Wish fundraiser. There was a pie-throwing contest, dances, and a dodge ball tournament, where teams paid to compete. All funds gathered went to their Make-a-Wish fund, Tressler said.

“The kids wanted to do something locally; that benefited their own community, so they decided on this. One boy even lives in the boundary here,” Tressler said. “These students realize that through their efforts, they can give these kids with life-threatening diseases a wish of love.”

Last year, students raised $20,000 and built a school in Mali, Africa through the Ouelessebougou Alliance. They also have helped with the Salvation Army Angel Tree.