For the second consecutive year, a group of Williamsburg Independent High School students have been working to help make a local Make-A-Wish child’s wish a reality through a variety of fundraising efforts.
The students who helped make the fundraiser possible are part of the school district’s Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, which is a national high school leadership program focused on impact through action. As part of the program, students gather to learn leadership principles through lessons called Leader Labs. The Leader Labs give students practical tools needed to make a positive influence, such as creating student-led community projects.
At Williamsburg Independent, the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is comprised primarily of students from the school’s gifted and talented program. As part of their end-of-year project, students in the academy decided to help fund a wish trip for someone through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. The granted wish is far more than just a trip or gift, as it represents a beacon of hope for the children and families who have or are facing unimaginable circumstances.
Last year, the leadership academy students provided a local teenager from Laurel County with the opportunity to attend a major sporting event out of state with his family. This year, the students have granted the wish of five-year-old Ella Johnson from Corbin.
Johnson is currently battling optic glioma, a condition that has required her to undergo intensive treatments, including a brain surgery operation later this month at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Her Wish was to be able to go to Disney World with her family, which they will be doing sometime later in the summer after Johnson has recovered.
According to Kristy Stewart, gifted and talented coordinator at Williamsburg Independent, students have been doing a number of fundraisers since January to help fund Johnson’s trip.
As of last week, approximately $3,200 had been raised.
Students were able to raise those funds through various efforts, such as holding “penny wars” throughout the school to see which classes can collect the most pennies. Other funds have been raised by holding a staff versus student volleyball game and through donations from local businesses.
Stewart said that she was proud to see her students continue to use their end-of-year project to support such a good cause.
“The Make-A-Wish Foundation is extremely close to my heart, especially because my own son was granted a Wish trip. So, to see my students choose this as their final project for the past two years makes my heart swell with pride. I couldn’t be prouder of the leadership, dedication and selflessness these students have shown as they work tirelessly to raise money for this great cause,” said Stewart. “This year, they went above and beyond to make Ella’s sendoff party truly magical. Dressing as princesses, dancing with her, playing games, and creating memories she’ll never forget. It melts my heart and speaks volumes about the incredible character of the students we have here at Williamsburg. We are all praying for Ella and her family as they continue on this journey.”
To celebrate Johnson’s wish being granted, Williamsburg’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students held a send-off party last Wednesday at Cinema Social in Corbin. The students got to spend time with Johnson and her family, with many of the students dressing up as characters from Disney’s vast lore.
Johnson’s mother, Bethany Johnson, was also appreciative of the effort put forth by the leadership academy students to help fund the Wish trip.
“We are so thankful for the love and support for Ella and our family during her chemo journey. We know that God has a plan and a purpose for all that she has gone through. We hope to be able to give back to other Wish kids in the future and to share with them how God carried Ella and our family through her illness and He will carry them too,” said Johnson.
Stewart said that the student’s fundraising efforts will continue throughout the end of the school year and that an official check will be presented to the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the school district’s end-of-year awards.
