Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) annual Wish Week once again brought the community together in a heartwarming display of generosity and school spirit. This year’s event, held in honor of Kinley, a young girl (7) with eye cancer, raised an astonishing $94,921.91 breaking the school’s previous fundraising record and granting 12 life-changing wishes. See related article on Kinley below.

Wish Week, a beloved tradition at RCHS for the past 15 years, is a week-long effort organized by the student council to support Make-A-Wish Colorado. Kinley’s dream of swimming with dolphins in Hawaii was at the heart of this year’s initiative. The closing assembly on March 8 marked the culmination of the week’s events, celebrating not only Kinley but also the impact RCHS has made on numerous families over the years.

The assembly featured a touching moment when Kinley and RCHS’s choir performed “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. Many students cut their hair in acts of solidarity. The highlight of the event was the dramatic reveal of the fundraising total. Initially displaying $49,921.91, student council members flipped the numbers to unveil the true amount, sending the gym into a standing ovation.

“This year felt extra special,” said student council member Brady Hill. “We set out to take Wish Week to the next level, and seeing the final number was surreal. Knowing we granted 12 wishes, including Kinley’s, makes all the hard work worth it.”

The success of Wish Week was fueled by various activities, including Walk-for-Wishes, Black Light Dodgeball, a movie night, restaurant sponsorships and themed spirit days. The dedication of students, staff and community members was evident in every detail, from the elaborate decorations to the tireless fundraising efforts.

Make-A-Wish Colorado’s director of community development, Sarah Grosh, praised RCHS’s commitment at the assembly. “You are our longest-standing school supporter, and what you’ve accomplished over 15 years is incredible,” she said. “Wish Week doesn’t just change lives for the Wish Kids—it strengthens the entire community.”

To date, RCHS has raised more than $1 million supporting dozens of amazing children and causes.

“It has been difficult to fully express what it felt like to experience and watch Kinley during Wish Week. I was completely overwhelmed by the dedication and thoughtfulness the students put into making this week unforgettable for Kinley,” shared Kinley’s mother, Kelly. “Their kindness, generosity and energy made it so special. Thank you for creating the most beautiful memories for our girl and granting so many wishes to deserving kids!”

 

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– Meet Kinley and her family –

Kinley, a vibrant 7-year-old from Lone Tree, shares a home filled with love and resilience alongside her parents, Kelly and Chris and her siblings, Cam (10) and Chloe (9).

At 2 ½ years old, Kinley was diagnosed with unilateral Group D retinoblastoma. She underwent four rounds of intra-arterial chemotherapy, followed by more than a year of monthly laser and cryotherapy treatments. After two years in remission, Kinley’s cancer returned in January 2024. This time, the tumor was large and positioned near the front of her eye, leaving her family with a difficult but life-saving decision—to remove her eye.

To ensure no cancer cells had spread, Kinley endured six rounds of systemic chemotherapy, completing her treatment last summer. Today, she continues to have regular MRIs and oncology checkups every three months. The family remains hopeful that this marks the end of her cancer journey and the beginning of a healthy future.

 

 

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By Nicole Stark; photos courtesy of Kelly Morton