The Jr. High Student Council wanted to give back to our community, so they decided to create a 2-week fundraising campaign for Make-A-Wish Iowa. With the guidance of Rachel Davenport, Jr. High Language Arts Teacher, and Amanda Larsen, Jr. High Social Studies Teacher, they set up several events to let the entire Jr. High building get involved. During Advisory, students watched videos of Make-A-Wish kids to see who could be helped by the money they were raising. Jr. High staff and students could order candy grams that the student council delivered, and the classes had a “Coin War” to see which class could bring in the most coins. A kind Community Choice Credit Union banker offered to buy pizzas for the top 7th and 8th grade classes after she saw how many coins the school raised – it nearly broke their coin counter machine! There was also a Dance and Dodgeball Tournament that students could attend for $5. All the money went to Make-A-Wish.
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the amazing group of students who spearheaded this campaign presented a check for $4,323.95 to Make-A-Wish CEO Sara Kurouski and Manager of Key Partners Chelsea Koenig. The students were named Make-A-Wish Ambassadors and given a Make-A-Wish star-shaped lapel pin.
There are over 300 Make-A-Wish kids in Iowa, with 65 in Polk County. The students were excited to know that they could help kids right here in our county. Great job, Southeast Polk Jr. High!
