This is pretty rough, but it's an article I'm submitting for my (first ever) journalism class.
While most kids played with newly bought toys on Christmas day, Jhett McQueen Skaggs laid in a hospital bed.
Skaggs was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at an early age. Cardiomyopathy is an inflammation of the heart cavity that prevents the heart from working properly according to the American Hearts Association. The disease stunted Jhetts growth allowing him to grow lengthwise and develop, but not gain any weight. Jhett needed a new heart. As they waited, he received a device that temporarily maintains his heart.
A few teenagers recognized the family’s need and wanted to help. Advanced Science and Technology Education Center (ASTEC) Charter High School hosts a fundraiser for a needy family every year in February. The fundraiser, SPAMM (Students Participating And Making Money) week, consist of dressing up and events every day for a week to raise money for this year’s recipient, Skaggs.
“It was entertaining,” Jane* Woods, a high school freshman, recalls about the weeklong event. She and other students crowded the school auditorium to watch students drink spam smoothies, strut in the fashion show, attack each other with foam balls at the dodge ball tournament, and other various events.
ASTEC is not a large school. The entire school holds no more than 275 students with the graduating class only being forty-three seniors. With its small size the school lacks homecomings and pep rallies that are known at other schools.
“SPAMM week takes the place of big homecomings” John* Spaeth, a faculty member, stated, comparing ASTEC to larger schools, “ gives a sense of being in a high school.”
The week benefited the school also. “Don’t let school interfere with your education” quotes Spaeth. He mentions that SPAMM week taught students how to work together. He watched students give their lunch money away to help a child that they did not know.
Other students got involved because they had an emotional attachment to the issue. Bella* Elwis, a high school freshman, had a cousin who had a heart condition, ‘but they didn’t have the money, so she died” Elwis said.
On the last day, Beth* Skaggs, the mother of Jhett, paid a visit to the school. She looked out at all the high school students that had supported her son and started to weep.
*names have been changed to protect privacy
Full article
