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Arapahoe student council makes wishes come true
By Holly Cook
The Arapahoe High School Student Council made the list of top 30 fundraisers for Make-A-Wish of Colorado in 2009, rivaling large companies and corporate and individual gifts.
For more than seven years, councilmembers have steadily increased their financial contribution as well as the support for their Wish Week within their community.
As a result, the council has been awarded with a $1,500 scholarship from the National Philanthropy Day Colorado organization.
On Nov. 13, communities nationwide will recognize the efforts of the high school council, along with thousands of other people and organizations who donate their time, talent and financial resources to worthy causes.
This year’s commemoration marks the 20th anniversary of the awards in Colorado.
“Arapahoe High School’s Student Council exemplifies all of the extraordinary qualities one seeks in a leader; dedication, integrity, humility, creativeness, vision and determination,” the official announcement said.
“The members of student council act as role models yet work together to enlist participation from the entire student body, they then organize, manage and excel at hosting a Wish Week which makes a significant impact on the life of a child facing a life-threatening medical condition,” the official announcement said.
Student councilmembers were nominated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for going above and beyond to help in the community.
The were awarded the “Outstanding Youth Group” award not only because of their notable financial contributions and dedicated efforts to so many worthy and local organizations, but because these students are leaving a lofty standard of philanthropy for the students who will follow in their footsteps down the same hallways, the announcement said.
Among the list of the councilmembers’ achievements and perhaps the greatest is their unwavering encouragement for all students to become a lifelong philanthropists.
“Their inclusive nature exposes the opportunity for students to become involved in philanthropy by encouraging their fellow classmates to give back their time, money and hard work to make a difference in the lives of those around them,” the Denver Foundation said.
For the past seven years the Arapahoe High School Student Council has hosted their Wish Week and has involved their fellow students and community to raise a grand total of more than $72,000, granting the wishes of more than 17 children in Colorado.
This year they raised $13,000, breaking the Kids For Wish Kids all-time record and granting three of the 235 wishes Make-A-Wish will grant this year.
During the final event of Wish Week, small fundraisers are held during timeouts of the popular student versus faculty basketball game.
In the third quarter, game competition is set aside and time is reserved to include extra participants to play including those with special needs, as well as leaving the last quarter for the wish child to play and to score the game winning shot. An additional highlight that makes for a fun yet strong declaration to the cause are the young men who are willing to shave their heads in the shape of Mickey Mouse for donations as large as $500.
Beyond their Wish Week, scholastics, athletics, arts and other school activities, AHS councilmembers make the time to support other worthy and local causes.
They have formed a strong partnership with The Children’s Hospital Blood Drive and the Bronco’s Wives Food Drive.
Make-A-Wish as well as the other causes are able to fulfill their mission because of the Student Council’s impact through their financial contributions, support and most significantly their volunteer capacity and time, the Foundation said.
“Beyond their financial contributions their Wish Week encompasses enthusiasm, kindness, school spirit as well as human spirit, warmth and most of all hope. Arapahoe High School’s Student Council demands that philanthropy remain a tradition and volunteerism a standard among the student body setting a vital example and encouraging the incoming students for years to come.”
For more than seven years, councilmembers have steadily increased their financial contribution as well as the support for their Wish Week within their community.
As a result, the council has been awarded with a $1,500 scholarship from the National Philanthropy Day Colorado organization.
On Nov. 13, communities nationwide will recognize the efforts of the high school council, along with thousands of other people and organizations who donate their time, talent and financial resources to worthy causes.
This year’s commemoration marks the 20th anniversary of the awards in Colorado.
“Arapahoe High School’s Student Council exemplifies all of the extraordinary qualities one seeks in a leader; dedication, integrity, humility, creativeness, vision and determination,” the official announcement said.
“The members of student council act as role models yet work together to enlist participation from the entire student body, they then organize, manage and excel at hosting a Wish Week which makes a significant impact on the life of a child facing a life-threatening medical condition,” the official announcement said.
Student councilmembers were nominated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for going above and beyond to help in the community.
The were awarded the “Outstanding Youth Group” award not only because of their notable financial contributions and dedicated efforts to so many worthy and local organizations, but because these students are leaving a lofty standard of philanthropy for the students who will follow in their footsteps down the same hallways, the announcement said.
Among the list of the councilmembers’ achievements and perhaps the greatest is their unwavering encouragement for all students to become a lifelong philanthropists.
“Their inclusive nature exposes the opportunity for students to become involved in philanthropy by encouraging their fellow classmates to give back their time, money and hard work to make a difference in the lives of those around them,” the Denver Foundation said.
For the past seven years the Arapahoe High School Student Council has hosted their Wish Week and has involved their fellow students and community to raise a grand total of more than $72,000, granting the wishes of more than 17 children in Colorado.
This year they raised $13,000, breaking the Kids For Wish Kids all-time record and granting three of the 235 wishes Make-A-Wish will grant this year.
During the final event of Wish Week, small fundraisers are held during timeouts of the popular student versus faculty basketball game.
In the third quarter, game competition is set aside and time is reserved to include extra participants to play including those with special needs, as well as leaving the last quarter for the wish child to play and to score the game winning shot. An additional highlight that makes for a fun yet strong declaration to the cause are the young men who are willing to shave their heads in the shape of Mickey Mouse for donations as large as $500.
Beyond their Wish Week, scholastics, athletics, arts and other school activities, AHS councilmembers make the time to support other worthy and local causes.
They have formed a strong partnership with The Children’s Hospital Blood Drive and the Bronco’s Wives Food Drive.
Make-A-Wish as well as the other causes are able to fulfill their mission because of the Student Council’s impact through their financial contributions, support and most significantly their volunteer capacity and time, the Foundation said.
“Beyond their financial contributions their Wish Week encompasses enthusiasm, kindness, school spirit as well as human spirit, warmth and most of all hope. Arapahoe High School’s Student Council demands that philanthropy remain a tradition and volunteerism a standard among the student body setting a vital example and encouraging the incoming students for years to come.”
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