MAKE A WISH

BLAKE PAVLIK, YLC MEMBER

BY: MOLLY NICHOLS ‘23 MEETING OUR SUPERHERO

BY SABRINA VIZURRAGA ‘22

4 1. PARKER STAVA ‘21 gives Johny a ride dressed as a dinosaur. 2. BLAKE PAVLIK along with Parker Stava, and Sarah Grosh from Make A Wish, show Johny around the school and go to the library for a special treat. 3. JOHNY WITH HIS MOM, Maira, and his sister, get comfortable in the RJ Media lab for the interview. Photos by Chloe Simon

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Carrying his navy rocket ship backpack, Johny Arellano runs ahead of everyone, curious for what is to come. Johny’s presence marked the beginning of Regis Jesuit’s first-ever Wish Week and its April 23rd opening ceremony. A lover of cars, superheroes, and all candy,

Johny might just seem like any ordinary, energetic toddler. But over a year ago, doctors diagnosed Arellano with leukemia.

“He was in six months of very intense treatment. Honestly, even through all the chemo he had, you would think that he would be bedridden. This little boy had some much energy even through all of that.” Maira Arellano, Johny’s mom, said.

After six months of treatment, Johny was leukemia-free. Thanks to the hard work put in by Blake Pavlik ’21 and Parker Stava ’21, Regis Jesuit was able to start this new tradition and help kids like Johny.

Wish Weeks are an organized way of raising money for the Make-A-Wish foundation, which works to give children with chronic illnesses their wish, whether that be meeting a celebrity, adopting a puppy, going to Disneyland, or, Johny’s case, meeting the Avengers.[AD2] This Wish Week consisted of not just the opening ceremony but a “Miracle Minute” on Venmo that raised over $3000, restaurant fundraisers, and Wish Week Kits, which allowed students to dress down, raising over $19000.

Earlier this year, Regis Jesuit announced that seven students were chosen to be a part of the Make-A-Wish Youth Leadership Council (YLC) who had bi-monthly meetings to brainstorm fundraising ideas, such as by attaining auction items from larger companies, and learn networking skills.

“We are passionate about helping these kids that are in need and experiencing these really difficult challenges in their lives,” YLC member Stava said. “We are trying to promote Make-A-Wish and help make wishes become real.” The YLC members had bi-monthly meetings in which they planned on how to fundraise, such as by attaining auction items from larger companies.

This year’s Wish-Week sponsors included Safe Splash Swim School and Spinnaker Support. Their hard work paid off, resulting in a week that Regis students are excited to recreate in years to come to help many more kids’ wishes come true.

7 4. CAMERON CARY ‘22 dressed as Batman and surprised Johny with a cape and balloon. Photo by Reilly Wible 5. THE CHEERLEADERS gather at Lou Kellogg stadium for the opening ceremony of the first annual Wish Week at RJ. Photo by Chloe Simon 6. WAVING TO THE crowd, Johny joins Emma Donovan from the Servant Leadership class as she introduces him to the crowd. Photo by Reilly Wible 7. DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, students participated in a Miracle Minute where they pulled out their phones to donate money. Over $3,000 was raised during that time. Photo by Chloe Simon

04.23 | Students meet Johny at the first annual Wish Week Opening Ceremony. Photo by C. Simon

CHARLOTTE TOLVA ‘24 Juniors Caroline Byrne, Ashlyn Mannix, Olivia Bergeon, Ainsley Pitrusu, and Emma Crowley show off their super hero masks.

FRIDAY SUPER HERO

DAY | Senior Cameron Cary dressed up as Batman to surprise Johny at the Junior and Senior pep rally. The event was held in the stadium so we could adhere to social distancing guidelines. Underclassmen watched in the classrooms. Photo by Chloe Simon To show support for Johny, and the Make A Wish Foundation students wore their favorite jerseys to school and proudly showed them off.

SOPHIA WOLF ‘21 Students dressed in their favorite super hero gear to celebrate the first day of spirit week and Johny’s love for superheroes.

BLAKE PAVLIK ‘21 COLE MUNRO ‘21

MILES HERRERA ‘24 MONDAY |In order to raise money for Johny and the foundation, RJ partnered with restaurants to raise money. They donated 15% of the proceeds from the day to the Make A Wish foundation in RJ’s name.

EVA MIKITA ‘24 MONDAY SPIKE BALL

TOURNAMENT| During spirit week, students could participate in a tournament during lunch in Lou Kellogg Stadium. It was a fun way for students to get together and have fun. Photo by staff

DYLAN MCGOWAN ‘21 JUNIORS: GREEN ALEX GUERRIERO ‘22 $2,000 for Johny’s Wish, the girls and boys rugby players got to shave Coach Anthony Mattacchione’s head. Sophie Walz ‘21, Lauren Schraeder ‘22, and Spencer Aye ‘21 had the honors of creating his new hairstyle. Photos by F. Sullivan

ELLA KOTTENSTE & COLETTE ANSELMI

04.27 | Janie Adams ‘22 and Isabella Realuto ‘22 watch The Sandlot on McNicholas Green.

PINK: FACULTY RICARDO DIAZ

JOHNY | The school community came together and surpassed the goal of $10,000 and raised SHOW OFF YOUR SHIRTS | Morgan Landow ‘24, Mia Chavez ‘24, Hunter McGowan ‘24, Erin Callahan ‘23, and Annie Pardun ‘23 show off their school pride by wearing their Make A Wish shirts to class on Friday.

MAKE A WISH ELEVATE 19$19,000RAISED