The Bear Branch Junior High (BBJH) Student Council has been raising money for two years in an effort to some day sponsor someone through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Their efforts finally paid off on May 26.

The Student Council raised $6,000 and handed the check over to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter at the end-of-year award ceremony.

The project started in 2009 as students were establishing a motto to follow their dreams and set goals. Principal Gerald Evans said the campus’ theme was about dreams and goals and the Make-A-Wish Foundation fell into place.

Pictured (left to right) are teacher Terry Henslee, student Ciara Pink, Principal Gerald Evans and teacher Lara Etchison presenting a check to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Student Ciara Pink told the audience at the ceremony that the Student Council had collected the money through dodgeball and basketball tournaments, Christmas and Valentine’s Day cards and sponsors from the school dances. Teachers Terry Henslee and Lara Etchison added that the students earned money through recycling and the annual Battle of the Bears contest, where students are divided into groups and compete to donate the most money.

During the process of raising the money, Evans said students weren’t able to see any of the available children to sponsor. All the money had to be raised, as per the stipulations of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“As part of the rules and regulations, we couldn’t know anything,” he added.

Once BBJH raised the money the Make-A-Wish Foundation let them choose which wish they would like to sponsor. The students chose Karlee, 8, of Magnolia whose wish is to go on a Hawaiian cruise.

While, BBJH students and staff are only able to know a few details about Karlee they say they are “hoping she lets us know how the cruise goes.”

Make-A-Wish Foundation representative Barbara Wierengo said the organization is able to grant about 400 wishes a year. She said the average cost per wish is $6,000, setting that as the goal for each person or organization that wishes to sponsor a wish.

“This is a really big accomplishment,” Evans said.

Wierengo said that when representatives from the Make-A-Wish Foundation appeared on Karlee’s door step with balloons and announced she was going to receive her wish she was thrilled.

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