SCHS students fund wishes for foundation

Jana Kelley tells her 4-year-old son, Josh, that his wish has been granted by the students of Shelbyville Central High School. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

He could feel the energy and support of the 2000 students who cheered and shouted for him.

Josh is a 4-year-old boy from Nashville who has leukemia. Last week, Josh learned his dream to ride the tea cups at Disney World was being granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, through the efforts of Shelbyville Central High School students.

SCHS students show their spirit during a surprise assembly April 3. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The school raised $16,000 through its Mr. Wishful competition this year, which was enough money to grant two wishes for Make-A-Wish.

"You have raised the most out of any school in the state," said Patricia Ledford, of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "We are so proud of you. This is just substantial ... to grant two wishes. We love you guys."

While Josh sat at a table in the center of the gymnasium, awing over the mock tea cups that sat beside him, his tearful-eyed mother, Jana Kelley, thanked the Mr. Wishful candidates for their efforts.

For the Mr. Wishful competition, two boys from each grade were nominated to participate in a competition to see who could raise the most money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through donations of friends, family and local business owners. Hayes Clanton, a freshman, was crowned Mr. Wishful at a recent home basketball game.

Collectively, the boys and their campaign managers (a designated girl from each boy's class) raised more money for Make-A-Wish than any other school in the state. Because of this, Central students received a surprise assembly Friday, April 3, where they were able to meet Josh and tell him about the wish grant. They also heard from the family of Grey Andrews, their second Make-A-Wish candidate, who recently returned from a trip that was paid for by Central's Mr. Wishful efforts.

"It's very overwhelming and heartwarming to know we were able to grant two wishes," said Staci Garner, one of four Central girls responsible for thinking up the Mr. Wishful campaign. "I'm speechless, thanks to Bedford County and Hayes Clanton.

"We started Mr. Wishful last year, and I never thought it would do this well. People in this county still have the grace to give (despite the economy)," she said.

Students also had the chance to hear from Grey Andrews' mother, Stacey Andrews, who explained how appreciative she was for Central's efforts.

"I don't think I've ever been in a gym with this many people," Stacey said.

Stacey explained to the students how much of a toll -- emotionally, physically and financially -- her 14-year-old son's condition has taken on the family. Grey suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, one of nine types of muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting voluntary muscles.

"Welcome to the world of the $16,000 wheelchair," Stacey said. "We are very thankful to you. One of the things you guys don't realize, being in high school ... (is) 50 percent of bankruptcies are medical bankruptcies. People like you who raise Make-A-Wish money (are) providing a phenomenal gift to families, and we thank you."

Grey's wish was to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. While there, Grey was able to soak in all the marine life offered. He especially enjoyed watching the dolphins, something about which he's passionate.

Throughout the ceremony, Central High School senior Micky Pietkiewicz served as emcee, introducing both families and other speakers throughout the morning.

Micky expressed her own fitting sentiments.

"We had some worries this year, with the economy," she said. "But thankfully, we were proved wrong, and we were able to grant two wishes."

Her mother, Central teacher Miriam Pietkiewicz agreed with her daughter, but went on to say the group of students who organized and participated in Mr. Wishful is one that's exceptional.

"I'm really going to miss this group," said the emotional Pietkiewicz, regarding the four girls, Katie Thomas, Staci Garner, Kenzie Smithson and Hannah Lovvorn, who coordinated the competition. "They are truly special."