Once again, students at Emporia Middle School went the extra mile, quite literally, in support of several local charitable causes Monday.
The 13th annual EMS Walk-a-Thon saw sixth grade students band together to make their way around the track during the morning hours, raising funds for five local charities and two members of their Junior Spartan Community. In total, the students’ individual efforts, coupled with a silent auction, generated just over $22,800.
Organizer and EMS teacher Christy Dragonas says the lead-up to the event each year brings a wave of nerves, but once it gets underway, they remember to never doubt the determination of their students.
The benefacting charities are chosen each year by the student body from the pool of upcoming Match Day participants, with students selecting five causes. This year’s chosen charities were the Street Cats Club of Emporia, Camp Alexander, Emporia Spanish Speakers, Pink Gravel and Food For Students.
Organizer and EMS teacher Madison Dragonas says the amount of participation students have not only in the fundraising portion of the event, but also in the selection and research of each organization is an instrumental piece of the long-running tradition each year.
In addition to the five charities selected, the walk-a-thon proceeds also went to support the Davis family, whose son Krue is currently battling cancer and EMS teacher Skylar Hughes, who recently suffered a stroke. Both the Davis family and Hughes received $7,000 from the event proceeds, with each of the aforementioned charitable organizations receiving $1,200.
The benefactors received their ceremonial checks during an assembly in the EMS cafeteria Monday afternoon, where KVOE News spoke with Brittani Davis, mother of Krue Davis, who stated that hearing the total was a shocking moment.
Davis adds this is just the latest outpouring of support their family has received since Krue’s diagnosis.
The top fundraising students and teams were also recognized during Monday’s assembly, with the top student earner being Emily Britain, who managed to raise $1,240. As an added cause for celebration, Monday’s total led to students getting to shave the head of Assistant Principal Trevor Matthews during Monday’s assembly.
