Students at RHMS are inspired to give as the holidays approach
On November 15, former Army Staff Sergeant Brian Schar spoke to the eighth grade students at RHMS. Schar lost both of his legs in Baghdad, Iraq in 2007 when an IED exploded in front of his vehicle. Following his speech, many of the students took the opportunity to shake Schar’s hand and to thank him for his service.
Article and photos by Amy Shanahan
The season of giving is in full swing at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS). Each year, the three grades participate in grade level community service projects, which the students choose and raise the funds to support.
The seventh grade teams completed their project in October by holding a read-a-thon to raise money for the Colorado wildfire victims (HelpCONow.org) and the Aurora Victims Fund (GivingFirst.org). Their endeavor was very successful and raised $4,500! Christian Wearsch and Ann Gibson from the Expeditioners team, and Kira Deal and Taylor Reising from the Adventurers team raised the most money for this wonderful cause.
The eighth grade teams chose to honor our nation’s veterans for their project. Just prior to Veterans Day, the three grade level teams sponsored “Hats Off for Our Troops” which allowed students to wear a hat for the day by paying one dollar. The money raised was donated to “Homes for Our Troops,” a non-profit organization that builds homes for post-911 disabled war veterans. To date, the eighth grade has raised almost $300 and they plan to continue their efforts during the next month by holding a “Penny Wars” fundraiser. The money raised will help to provide a new, specially outfitted home for war veteran and former Army Staff Sergeant Brian Schar and his family.
The sixth grade plans to run their community service project during the month of December. These efforts are always a huge success and one of the favorite times of the year for the students of RHMS, as they learn the value of giving back to the community.
Kira Deal, Christian Wearsch, Taylor Reising and Ann Gibson (not pictured) participated in the seventh grade Read-a-thon and raised the most money. They are pictured in front of a state of Colorado flag, as their donations directly benefitted fire victims in Colorado.
