By Shannon Lukens.
An all-school pep assembly at Steamboat Springs High School Friday celebrated the 2nd annual Make-A-Service Learning and Wish Week. It was organized by local student leadership.
Principal Jay Hamric kicked off the assembly saying it is his most favorite assembly of the school year because it is all about giving back.
Anna Schumacher and Mackenzie Gilchrest are two of those students who are helping with Make-A-Wish Week.
“I’m Anna Schumacher and I’m a junior. I wanted to something that was a little bit bigger than just classes at the high school and I knew that we were going to put money and time into fundraising that was something that was bigger than just our school. I think it’s really interesting to help people outside of ourselves and it’s cool to see what we can do for people in our community and for bigger causes.”
“I’m Mackenzie Gilchrest and I’m a sophomore at Steamboat Springs High School. It feels really good to know that we’re helping people and being able to connect with them. And I feel like having the school meet kids that are getting their wishes granted, it makes you connect with them on another level and it maybe motivates people to donate money and give more and it also helps you connect with the community.”
This year’s “Wish Kid” is 4-year-old Mason who lives in the community and was celebrated by the students.
Mason and his brother, Owen, rode their Strider bikes through an obstacle course in the gym, and then had a mini-hockey shootout.
Money will be raised during Snowcoming Week to contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a trip to DisneyWorld for Mason and his family. The family already got to go, and Mason’s dad said, “We were able to step back and not think about the hard times.”
Events where money will be raised next week include pickleball night, and a volleyball tournament, and the Snowcoming Dance on Thursday.
Past local Make-A-Wish recipients also spoke to the students at the assembly about what their wishes that were granted meant to them.
Principal Hamric also challenged the kids to win the Spirit Stick next week, to see which class donates the most and gives back to the community the most with Service Learning Projects. This is done through a clothes drive and waste management awareness. Students from each grade came up and spoke about proper waste management, and bringing in unused clothes and coats to donate.
