Last week, Fossil Ridge High School held Wish Week, an event dedicated to helping 3-year-old Regin attend SeaWorld. The Fruita, Colo. child is part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which gives kids with diagnosed terminal illnesses their wishes.

Regin is diagnosed with a condition called Retinoblastoma, also known as eye cancer. It is a terminal illness, and very aggressive. Student Council took on this project so that they could give Regin his wish while he’s still able to go. “We wanted something local, and it helps that Regin’s young too,” Student Council junior and event coordinator Chandler Lowham said. “It makes all the more impact on a young person.”

FRHS ended up raising more than $2,700 to give to Regin and his family for their trip, according to Lowham. To help raise money, students decorated the halls with sea creatures, played music for donations during passing periods, and hosted a water balloon fight. Lowham said students really enjoyed helping a fellow Coloradan. “I think that reaching out into the community is more impactful than just doing things here at Fossil,” she said.

STUCO also held Penny Wars to raise money, which paired a student and a teacher against one another in a race to raise money. The losers will be announced in late May, and will get a pie in their face for the loss.

FRHS also had donations jars at the sororities of CSU, and held fundraisers at Matador, Firehouse Subs and Texas Roadhouse to raise money for Regin. According to Lowham, the response was outstanding. “The money we raised in one week will change Regin’s life forever,” she said. “It’s amazing what we can all do as a whole.”