Feature Photo By: Sam Newman- Junior Abel Mesfin enters the Locker wearing a Superman costume for Wednesday’s Superhero Day. While students dress as superheros today, they will dress like their favorite cartoon characters tomorrow.

Many Rangeview students may know that Rangeview High School supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is a charity organization that works to grant wishes to children who are diagnosed with critical illnesses. This year, Rangeview is raising money and awareness for Jackson, a child who has cancer and who wishes to go to Hawaii. So far, about $4,000 have been raised for Jackson. 

“Jackson was assigned to us this September. It was a process,” said Anna Gebhardt, student leadership supervisor. “Maddie Heiken and I went to the Make-A-Wish headquarters, which was a very cool experience.”

This week is Wish Week for Jackson, meaning that there will be a series of spirit events and activities to raise money for Jackson’s wish, as well as to raise awareness about terminal illnesses, especially cancer. Students can expect to see, and even be involved in, the following activities throughout the week:

• Monday, Feb. 5: Cancer Awareness Day
  Wear your designated color, based on your grade level, to raise awareness for different forms of cancer. 
  • Seniors – Pink (Breast Cancer)
  • Juniors – Green (Lymphoma/Liver Cancer)
  • Sophomores – Orange (Leukemia)
  • Freshmen – Gray (Brain Cancer)
• Tuesday, Feb. 6: Tropical Tourist Day
  Dress like you’re a tourist in Hawaii, wearing school-appropriate clothes.
• Wednesday, Feb. 7: Superhero Day
  Dress like your favorite superhero, or wear a Marvel or DC shirt
• Thursday, Feb. 8: Cartoon Day
  Dress like a Cartoon Network character, or wear a Cartoon Network shirt
• Friday, Feb. 9: Tie-Dye Day
  Wear a Wish Shirt, or any other tie-dyed shirt — school-appropriate, of course.

Furthermore, there will be after-school activities on every day of the week, from which a portion of the proceeds will go towards Jackson’s wish to travel to Hawaii. Mrs. Gebhardt hopes to raise another $2,000 with Wish Week. The after-school events are as follows:

• Monday, Feb. 5: Lip Sync Battle
  7pm – 9pm in the auditorium
  $1 to enter, $2 to compete
• Tuesday, Feb. 6: Boys’ Basketball vs Brighton
  7pm in the large gym
  Miracle Minute during halftime
• Wednesday, Feb. 7: Parent-Teacher Conferences/Silent Auction
  Silent Auction: 6pm outside the Locker
  Parent-Teacher Conferences: TBA
• Thursday, Feb. 8: Mr. RHS
  7pm in the auditorium
  $4 w/ Activity Card, $5 w/out Activity Card
• Friday, Feb. 9: Jackson’s Luau (Make-A-Wish Dance)
  8pm – 11pm in the commons
  $5 in advance, $7 at the door
  Wear school-appropriate luau attire
  There will be a costume contest

The dance on Friday is casual, so there is no dress requirement, as long as it is school appropriate. However, if students wish to dress up, then they certainly may. It will be Hawaiian-themed, and will also be aimed at drawing attention to Jackson, his condition, and his wish.

“I’m really excited for the dance on Friday because it’s going to be like a rendezvous and a celebration of Jackson, and just a means to have life and be supportive of other people’s wishes,” said senior Maddie Heiken, Rangeview’s Make-A-Wish Coordinator. “I’m really hoping that it draws a lot of attention and funds, that way we are able to send Jackson to Hawaii.”

In addition to the events and spirit days that students can partake in, students are able to make purchases from various student groups to raise additional money towards Jackson’s wish. The available purchases are as follows:

Wish Shirts
Get a Wish Shirt from any leadership student for $15
Cancer Awareness Ribbons
Get 4 Cancer Awareness Ribbons for $1 during lunch in the commons

Finally, Rangeview’s LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) club are holding a raffle for a Nintendo Switch. Students can buy as many tickets as they want from LULAC students, for $2 per ticket. Students can purchase tickets up until February 7th, and the winner will be announced during the silent auction on Wednesday.

“I’m super excited for all of the events,” said Lauren Graff, student body treasurer. “I know we’ve put a lot of hard work into getting the student body involved in making Jackson’s wish come true.”