Heineman celebrates its students fundraising efforts
Heineman Middle School’s dedication to Relay for Life was made abundantly clear when the entire school abandoned their books and celebrate their year-long fundraising effort.
While the Mini-Relay for Life was the focus of the day’s events, students also participated in a talent show, climbed through large, inflatable obstacle courses, and got the opportunity to drop teachers and staff in a dunk tank.
Every year seventh-grade teacher Cynthia Bell has given a speech, focusing on her experiences with cancer.
“I love talking to the kids about it,” she said. “Education itself can save their lives.”
After her speech, students were encouraged to fill out “I relay for…” cards, and place them on a school-wide banner. One of Bell’s favorite cards read, “I relay for Mrs. Bell. You are my hero. You made me give cancer a different perspective.”
Lunching students watched a talent show, which highlighted some talented like eight-graders Andrew Joung, Greg Guelzo, Sean Dalton and Chris Cazel, who performed a completely impromptu jam, after forming just the day before.
The students surpassed their goal of $15,000. First counts put the school’s running total raise at around $18,500, according to Heineman officials.
The school printed t-shirts, and students donned them in various colors. The shirt was designed by sixth-grader Felicia Arnold, who was shocked to hear during study hall, that her design had been picked.
“I thought, ‘Wow, really?’ I’m only in sixth grade,” she said. “The entire study hall cheered.”
Earlier in the year, Richard Meyers of the Huntley Culvers invited students to work at a fundraising night at Culvers. Teachers and staff members served customers, cleaned tables, and chatted with community members while raising money for the American Cancer Society. Thanks to the effort of all involved, Culvers was able to donate $758.86.
—By Michelle Stoffel, Triblocal.com reporter
