Arvada West students break Wish Week fundraising record

A-West students raise $7,500 for Arvada child with leukemia

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Hunter, a six-year-old from Arvada who has leukemia, will get to ful l his dream of going to Disney World thanks to the e orts of a dedicated group of people — the Arvada West High School student body.

A-West’s 10th Annual Wish Week

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— a weeklong fundraising e ort the school’s student council organizes to bene t the Make-A-Wish Foundation — was held from Feb. 10 to 16 and raised $7,569 for the nonpro t. e funds will allow Hunter to go to Disney World, marking the tenth “Wish Kid” A-West’s been able to help in as many years. While Hunter was unable to attend the festivities in person, two former A-West Wish Kids, 7-year-old Taylor and 5-yearold Cli , were able to participate in the Disney-themed festivities.

“ e wish was a life-changing event for our family, and it was jampacked with rsts for Cli ,” Abbie, Cli ’s mom, said. “We found out that Cli can safely y on an airplane, ride rides, sleep in an unfamiliar place and ll his day with non-stop fun. He was so adaptive to these unfamiliar surroundings. It was so reassuring that we could do other things we’ve yet to do.”

Yaremi, Taylor’s mom, echoed Abbie’s sentiments.

“Our favorite memory on our Wish trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida was going to the aquarium to see Winter the dolphin,” Yaremi said. “As a mom, I treasure the gift of the family pictures we got to take on the beach. Our Wish trip was the rst family vacation we got to take together without any worry in the world but to have fun.” some of the traditions implemented this year — like the talent show and appearances by past Wish Kids — will live on after her class leaves Arvada West.

Senior Sarah Lilienthal, the committee head of the Wish Week assembly, said she and the planning committee felt like they were making up for lost time this year.

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Additionally, A-West students put on a “Best of A-West” talent show that drew substantial participation from the student body.

“Because of COVID, we didn’t get two Wish Week assemblies; in my four years I’ve only had two assemblies,” Lilienthal said. “ e idea was that for our nal one, we’d have a lot of control over what happened and being able to plan it. I’ve always tried to make change at my school… I feel like it’s just the reminder that just because I’m a senior and I’m leaving, it doesn’t mean that the changes that can happen are going to leave.”

Lilienthal also said she hopes

“I hope other student council members might take my ideas for the 15th and 20th anniversary,” Lilienthal said. “A-West has never gotten a Wish kid to come, but two other Wish families could come. It made it so much better knowing that still people did come, and it gave them reassurance.

“All of the kids we helped will get more time to have joy,” Lilienthal continued. “Sometimes joy is what keeps them pushing to keep ghting.”