This year Rock Canyon High School, of Highlands Ranch, Co. is celebrating 10 years of granting wishes in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The RCHS cheerleaders and their peers have raised over $570,000 and have granted 76 wishes for children across Colorado.

Combining fundraising and school traditions, Wish Week was created as a time for the students to come together to show their school spirit and raise money for a great cause. During this week the entire community joins the efforts to raise funds to grant a โ€œwishโ€ for a child diagnosed with critical illnesses.

The RCHS cheerleaders kick off Wish Week by hosting a pep rally to get the students excited for the week ahead and to officially start the fundraising efforts with a Fill the Bucket activity. They also take this time to introduce the child they will be fundraising for. โ€œOurย Wishย Kids will forever be a part of the Rock Canyon family. These kids are strong, courageous and inspiring people who have made a significant impact on the hearts ofย RCHSย students,โ€ RCHS Cheerleading Coach Amanda Mundaca said.

The cheerleaders fundraise in a variety of ways including facilitating a Wish Walk and dodgeball and basketball tournaments. The team also sells Wish Kits โ€“ these include a T-shirt, bracelet and sticker. Over 90% of the school purchases a Wish Kit!

The student bodyโ€™s enthusiasm is contagious. For the past 10 years, the community has rallied behind them looking for ways to get involved. During Wish Week many local restaurants donate a portion of their profits, while nail salons and other vendors offer percentages off their services to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Wish Week brings the entire community together, and the RCHS cheerleaders feel it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Make-A-Wish experience.